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of all men, and especially of those who believe.” —  1 Timothy 4:9-10

 

 

Last year during the Christmas of 2010, Lyndsey, Claire (3), Margaret Ann (1), and I joined together with Lyndsey’s family to celebrate Christmas Day. We were all filled with the Christmas cheer as we drank hot cocoa, nibbled on finger foods, and opened present after present. We were all busy participating in the Christmas hustle and bustle, focused intently on the presents being opened and on what we might receive. All of a sudden Claire stood up in the midst of the presents and started singing Away in a Manger. The spontaneous outburst of song caused us all to stop and listen to the small sweet voice of our 3 year old angel. About halfway through her song she stopped and walked over to me, lifted her little hand up, and said “Sing with me daddy.” Then, one by one, she shuffled in front of Papa, Boo (her grandmother), her aunt and uncle, and all the others around the living room saying “sing it with me.” And voice by voice the chorus of Away in a Manger began to ring out. Our focus turned from ourselves onto the hope that we have from a little baby in a manger. The joy that filled our hearts from that song of hope and from the leadership of a 3 year old made the Christmas of 2010 a Christmas to remember.

 

Have you thought about what life would be like right now had Jesus not come into this world 2000 years ago as a little baby? Can you imagine the hopelessness in your life without the Savior….without his sacrifice….without his forgiveness?

 

 

Activity:
 

Take a moment right now as an individual or as a family and sing Away in a Manger out loud. It may be awkward or uncomfortable to spontaneously sing this song. But allow the hope offered in those words and in the Savior proclaimed in those words to fill you with hope and joy today.

 

Merry Christmas!
Russell, Lyndsey, Claire and Margaret Ann McCrory