I’m learning that grandchildren bring a special significance to Christmas.
Last Christmas, Nathan, our two-year-old grandson, and his parents were living with us as they moved in a new house. Nathan and his "Nana," my wife of 33 years, spent a great deal of time with the many manger scenes decorating our home. They used manger scenes to act out the Christmas story over and over and over and over…Well, I’m sure you get the idea!
A few weeks ago, Nathan and Nana were visiting a store where a manger scene was displayed. Nathan surveyed the scene for a few minutes then asked, "Where are the animals?”
As I walk through stores where preparations for the Christmas season are in process, I’m prone to ask a similar question, “Where’s the Christ Child?" Without Christ, there is no Christmas.
It’s my sincere desire that Christ will be the focus of everything we do at the Children’s Homes this Christmas season. I’m reminded of these words of the angel to the shepherds: "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people. For today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."
I pray that our foster care parents, houseparents and all of the other staff will be able to share the good news in a way that the children and youth in our care will come to know Him as their Lord and Savior.
I hope this Christmas season will be a blessed time for you and your family as you celebrate the good news of great joy that our Savior was born for each and everyone.
Email Paul Miller, executive director of Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes & Family Ministries, at lbates@abchome.org.
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