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:
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* *
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
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