Two Babies
In 1994 two Americans answered an invitation from the
Russian Department of Education to teach morals and ethics
(based on Biblical principles) in the public schools. They
were invited to teach at prisons, businesses, the fire and
police departments and a large orphanage. About 100 boys and
girls who had been abandoned, abused, and left in the care
of a government-run program were in the orphanage. The
relate the following:
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It was nearing the holiday season, 1994, time for our
orphans to hear for the first time the traditional story of
Christmas. We told them about Mary and Joseph arriving in
Bethlehem. Finding no room in the inn, the couple went to a
stable, where the baby Jesus was born and placed in a
manger.
Throughout the story, the children and orphanage staff sat
in amazement as they listened. Some sat on the edges of
their stools, trying to grasp every word. Completing the
story, we gave the children three small pieces of cardboard
to make a crude manger. Each child was given a small paper
square, cut from yellow napkins I had brought with me. No
coloured paper was available in the city.
Following instructions, the children tore the paper and
carefully laid strips in the manger for straw. Small squares
of flannel, cut from a worn-out nightgown an American lady
was throwing away as she left Russia, were used for the
baby's blanket. A doll-like baby was cut from tan felt we
had brought from the U.S.
The orphans were busy assembling their manger as I walked
among them to see if they needed any help. All went well
until I got to one table where little Misha sat. He looked
to be about 6 years old and had finished his project. As I
looked at the little boy's manger, I was startled to see not
one, but two babies in the manger. Quickly I called for the
translator to ask the lad why there were two babies in the
manger. Crossing his arms in front of him and looking at
this completed manger scene, the child began to repeat the
story very seriously. For such a young boy, who had only
heard the Christmas story once, he related the happenings
accurately -- until he came to the part where Mary put the
baby Jesus in the manger. Then Misha started to ad-lib. He
made up his own ending to the story as he said, "And when
Maria laid the baby in the manger, Jesus looked at me and
asked me if I had a place to stay. I told him I have no
mamma and I have to papa, so I don't have any place to stay.
. Then Jesus told me I could stay with Him. But I told him I
couldn't, because I didn't have a gift to give him like
everybody else did. But I wanted to stay with Jesus so much,
so I thought about what I had that maybe I could use for a
gift. I thought maybe if I kept him warm, that would be a
good gift.
"So I asked Jesus, 'If I keep you warm, will that be a good
enough gift?'
"And Jesus told me, ' If you keep me warm that will be the
best gift anybody ever gave me.' So I got into the manger,
and then Jesus looked at me and he told me I could stay with
him --for always!"
As little Misha finished his story, his eyes brimmed full of
tears that splashed down his little cheeks. Putting his hand
over his face, his head dropped to the table and his
shoulders shook as he sobbed and sobbed.
The little orphan had found Someone who would never abandon
nor abuse him, Someone who would stay with him FOR ALWAYS.
I've learned that it's not what you have in your life, but
who you have in your life that counts.
"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all
circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ
Jesus." I Thessalonians 5:16-18.
Author unknown. If anyone has a proprietary interest in this story please authenticate and I will be happy to credit, or remove, as the circumstances dictate.
Send by Tim Cove