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The Best Christmas Ever
Molly, Joey, Mom, and Dad were all dressed in their very best clothes. It was Christmas Eve, and they were going to the Christmas program at church! This was a very special night for Molly and Joey, because they both had a very important part in the program. Molly got to be Mary, the mother of Jesus, and Joey was going to be one of the shepherds.
Large, fluffy snowflakes were gently falling to the ground, and yet, Molly could see beautiful stars in the sky peeking out here and there. She wondered what the special star looked like that was shining so brightly over the manger where Jesus was born.
Molly nudged Joey. “Joey, can you imagine how many angels sang to the shepherds when they announced to them about Jesus?” “Well, I don’t know, but we don’t have that many in our play! I’m thinking about all of those presents under our tree, and how we get to open them tomorrow morning!” “Oh Joey, the most important thing about Christmas is that Jesus was born. He came to earth so He could die for us, and take care of all of our sins! Did you ever wonder how we could ever be good enough to go to heaven if it hadn’t been for Jesus?” Joey replied,”Well, that is a stupid thing to say. Nobody can be good enough to go to Heaven without Jesus.” Molly said,” I know that, but Jesus still wants us to do good things just like He showed us when He was here. He was always doing something good to help other people.”
Mom and Dad were very quiet as they listened to their children’s conversation. This was going to be the best Christmas ever! Both of the children had given their hearts to Jesus when they attended family camp that summer. Oh, they still weren’t perfect, but both parents could see a difference in their lives.
Daddy reached over and gave Mom’s hand a gentle squeeze, and, inwardly, they both thanked God for His great love, and His answer to their heartfelt prayers.
All of a sudden the conversation in the back seat changed! Molly said, “Joey, did you meet that little girl that moved into the old rickety Smith house across the street? Her name is Sally.” “Yeah,” Joey said, “she doesn’t seem to be a very happy girl, for sure” “Well, she told me that her Daddy had lost his job and they couldn’t live in their nice house any more, and now they didn’t even have any money. I feel sorry for her. I wonder what she’ll get for Christmas.”
“We’re here,” dad said cheerfully, and Molly and Joey burst out of the car, and ran into the church to get ready for the program. ““I hope Mom and Dad get good seats so they can see us,” Molly said excitedly, as she slipped into her costume, and cradled the little baby Jesus in her arms
There were tears in Mom and Dad’s eyes as they watched the joyfulness in which the children all re-enacted the Christmas story. What a wonderful Christmas Eve, and the little sermonette that Pastor George had given had touched many hearts that evening.
On the way home, the children were discussing their anticipation of Christmas morning, when they would be allowed to open the many packages under their tree.
After Mom and Dad had tucked the children into bed that night, they both knelt beside their bed, and thanked God for Molly and Joey, for a warm house, and food to eat, for Dad’s job, for being healthy enough to work, and most of all, for God’s wonderful gift of salvation.
Molly’s room was right next to Mom and Dad’s, and hearing their prayers, made her so happy that Mom and Dad loved Jesus too, and she knew that no matter what happened in her life, they would always all be together. Then, suddenly, she thought about how thankful Dad was when he thanked God for his job, and she thought about the family next door, and wondered what Sally had done tonight. “Did she even know about Jesus?” Molly softly prayed, “Dear Jesus, please help that new girl next door to have a nice Christmas” and she fell asleep.
Early the next morning, Joey and Molly bounded out of their beds, and down the stairs. Mom was busy getting the breakfast casserole in the oven, and getting the meat ready to cook for Christmas dinner, and Dad was sitting in his big lounge chair, reading his Bible
“Can we open our presents now?” The children almost said it together. Dad smiled, and Mom came from the Kitchen. Dad said “Yes, you may, but do not forget whose birthday this really is” It didn’t take very long for the children to open their gifts. Joey had a remote control truck, a new bike, several games, and some new clothes. Molly had a new bike too, the most beautiful doll she had ever seen, and then some new clothes too. Joey and Molly ran and gave Mom and Dad great big hugs. “What a wonderful Christmas” Molly exclaimed, and then, she thought about the little girl across the street, and wondered if Jesus had answered her prayers, and the little girl was opening gifts too.
All of a sudden, her little heart began to pound, and she thought, “One time I heard Pastor George say that we are to be Jesus’ hands when we see people who are in need.” Molly looked at her beautiful doll, her bike, and the other gifts and she began to cry. Mother noticed right away, and she said, “Molly, what on earth could be wrong?” As Molly sobbed, she told Mom about the little girl across the street, and how she had wanted her to have a good Christmas too. Mom pulled Molly up on her lap, and stroked her golden hair. “Molly, if you care about her, you need to show it.” Molly looked again at the many things she had just received. “Mama, could I wrap up one of my gifts and take it to her?” “Of course, dear, I think that is what Jesus would want you to do.” Molly looked at her beautiful doll. How could she give her up? And yet, she knew that the little girl had no one to play with, and a doll could be someone to love and care for. There was a struggle in her heart, but she carefully wrapped her new doll, put on her jacket, and headed across the street.
In the house across the street, Sally, the little neighbor girl was sitting on her mother’s lap, and she and her mom both had tears in their eyes. Sally had tears because this was her first Christmas without a Christmas tree, or any presents. Her mom had tears because it tore at her heart that she hadn’t had anything to spend for Christmas. Just then, there was a soft knock on the door. Sally’s Mom answered the door, and there stood Molly with her brightly wrapped package. She said, “I’m Molly from across the street, and I want Sally to have a nice Christmas, so this is for her” Sally’s mom gave her a huge hug.
Molly sat and watched as Sally carefully unwrapped the package, and screamed with delight, as she saw the beautiful doll. She ran to Molly, and the two girls hugged one another. Molly didn’t feel bad at all about giving up her beautiful doll ,when she saw how happy it made Sally. In her heart, she just knew that they would be the best of friends. Someday, she would tell Sally all about Jesus, and how He had helped her answer her own prayers.
Molly’s parents and Joey watched out of the big bay window as Molly bounced happily out of the house, and skipped towards home.
Yes, this was truly the best Christmas that this family had ever had.
(C)Verna Mull-Reprint not available without prior written consent of the author-please contact for details at pvmull400@hotmailcom
Article submitted Sunday, August 23, 2009 & read 438 times.
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» left by Marijo Phelps(199)We appreciate your comments!(2 years 168 days ago.)
OK, I think I need a kleenex - this is wonderful, Verna! I know your great grands will appreciate this a bunch! MarijoRespond to this comment
