MERRY CHRISTMAS BABY JESUS
by: Esther

Waking up very early morning the other day and able to talk to my brother Sam & Esther, sister-in-law, brought smile to my face, bringing back sweet memories of my dad.

December 21, a year of my dad's passing away, we will always be reminded since it was a few days before the big family day of the year...CHRISTMAS. Though I missed the planned family gathering my heart is filled with joy reminiscing my brother's "sharings" which reminded me also of my childhood experience one Christmas eve about my dad.

To fill the empty space of not being able to join my family in California--Ben, on his day off, and I decided to take our grandchildren out of town on the country side. The driving was very pleasant. Cold but beautiful scenery of the country filled with white snow. As we drove, the grand kids also spent their time reading grandpa's new edition book "Choosing to Live," in between watching the scenery.

While at the Bethlehem Stable barn a scenery of Jesus birth reminded me again of my dad when we were young growing up in the Philippines. One Christmas eve he came home late, (from his usual visitations giving Bible studies & visiting the sick) while all of us children (5) were already in bed. Fortunately, I woke up and glad I did. I saw dad handing a handful of grapes to mom and heard him say...to give the children when they wake up Christmas morning. Heard mom asking dad to eat a few but he didn't ... grapes were very expensive in the Philippines and not many could afford buying them but I guessed it right, someone gave him the grapes and saved it for us children. No Christmas tree, gifts, decorations & lights but we were blessed with loving, sacrificing parents who practice in their loving hearts the text in 2 Cor. 9:7, "....God loveth a cheerful giver."

A true meaning of Christmas. Jesus, born in a stable but rich in love and obedient child of the King. He gave His all for us to be redeemed from our sins.

As human beings, we are all different and for me, 'am happy to have avoided the busy & crowded malls the previous days. Visiting the country side and a barn store was so precious, spending time with my grandchildren, taking pictures of the beautiful things in the barn, and admiring things we can't afford to buy or don't need.

What a very blessed and special Sabbath Christmas this year, December 25, 2010. God's creation ended on the sixth day and rested the Seventh-Day. I happened to listen one evening on Billy Graham's recent interview. Though he kept himself so busy sharing the gospel and God to millions years past, when asked if he was given another chance to go back to his early years of his life, what one thing different would he do? His answer was so inspiring:

"I would spend and make more time with God."

After dropping off our two grand kids, Kassie & Anthony to their residence, we were surprised to our delight when Anthony handed us a tiny Christmas wrapped gift. It melts my heart hearing him say softly, "...grandma, I love you and Merry Christmas."


................................ (look for Ben in the picture)........................... :)
It also amuses us to learn more of our grand kids who never or hear them say, ".... grandpa, grandma, I like this, ... and that for Christmas."


Merry Christmas to all from our family to you!

Our oldest grand child, Deanna & Ethan, the youngest.