Christian Reflection and Prayer

WHAT A GIFT?

Scripture:

"He Who did not spare His own Son,
but delivered Him up for us all, how
shall He not with Him also freely give
us all things". (Romans 8:32)

Reflection:

There is a beautiful story that took
place in a small town in Mexico.
It was Christmas time and time to
place the nativity scene in front of
the church. Within the manger was
a very valuable, old, statue of the
baby Jesus. This was a poor
congregation and they took pride
in this baby Jesus statue. The
Priest was concerned that some-
one may steal the baby Jesus and
preached several sermons of his
concern of a possible theft. He
pointed out the penality for the
sin of theft.
Sure enough, the Sunday before
Christmas, the statue of the baby
Jesus turned up missing.
The local police were immediately
called, and a extensive search was
begun. The statue and the thief were
not found. On Christmas
day the congregation gathered, deeply
saddened. As the Priest approached
the pulpit to speak, a little boy with
a beaten up red wagon entered the
chuch. Within the wagon was the
statue of the baby Jesus. The little
boy nervously walked down the middle
isle, with the wagon and placed the
baby back in the manger. The Priest
asked the little boy why he took the
statue? The little boy replied, "As
God the Father delivered the baby
Jesus to protect us, He (the little boy),
took Jesus to protect Jesus and
delivered Him back so He can protect
us.
Just like this little boy, at Christmas
God delivered Jesus to protect us.

There are times when difficult
circumstances can cause us to feel
that Christ has been stolen from our
Christmas. HE HAS NOT !
We know that God is for us, and we
have this wonderful assurance: "He
Who did not spare His own Son,
but delivered Him up for us all, how
shall He not with Him also freely give
us all things".
Remember nothing, absolutely nothing,
can separate us from the love of God
in Christ Jesus.
Look for Jesus in the manger, on the
cross, risen from the dead, and in our
hearts and our very soul.
THATS WHERE WE FIND JESUS AT
CHRISTMAS !