December 2007

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The Gift of Grace

December. Advent wreaths, glowing candles, evergreen trees, carols, lights, and-ah yes-the Christmas concert. Flushed faces, clicking cameras, and high-pitched hymns pounded out on pianos. Last Christmas our Sunday school planned a special drama to present to the congregation on Christmas Day. All the kids were excited, but the most eager was Luke, a 9-year-old boy who came to church each week with his grandma. He really got into his role, gathering props and bringing them in from home. He was a constant source of information and ideas as we planned together. He encouraged the little kids, helped the leaders, and kept saying, ÒThis is gonna be SO great!Ó

The big day came. All the kids arrived extra early that morning-except Luke. As kids slipped into their costumes and parents slid into their pews to wait for the service to begin, we waited for Luke. With just moments to spare Luke's grandma came through the doors. She told us that Luke had argued with his parents that morning and as a punishment they told him he couldn't come to church. No amount of pleading would change their minds.

Luke returned the next week. He never mentioned the play, so we didn't either. We just gave him a hug. Recently he told me he's memorized every story in his copy of The Beginner's Bible. We know that life at home isn't so great for Luke, so we try to fill him up with love when we get to see him.

Kailey goes to our church too. When she was 4, her nana gave her a plastic baby doll with moveable arms and legs. She named the baby Grace and wrapped her in her own tattered blankie. Kailey and Grace were inseparable. Kailey never went to bed without making sure Grace was comfortable and had heard a lullaby. By the time Kailey was seven, Grace was looking a little worn. She'd lost both her arms, and although they'd been duct-taped back into position, it wasn't really the same.

When Kailey was 8, Grace's leg came off and no amount of tape would hold it in place. Instead of asking for a new doll that Christmas, Kailey asked for healing. As her mom bent down to turn out the lights on the Christmas tree she saw a little bundle wrapped in a tattered blanket with a note pinned to its chest. The note read, ÒDear Jesus, please make Grace all better. We can't fix her. But I know you can. That's all I want for Christmas. Love, Kailey.Ó

The next morning, as her parents watched from around the corner, Kailey raced to the tree, cradled Grace in her arms and smiled as she read the note her parents had carefully tucked into her blankie. ÒDear Kailey, I know your baby is broken but I still love her very much. I know you do too! Love, Jesus.Ó

Sometimes, like Luke and his leaders, we're disappointed when things don't go as planned at Christmas. Thankfully, that's not the end of the story! This year we're doing one of Laura and Bob Keeley's ÒQuick and Easy Christmas ProgramsÓ from Faith Alive. The kids-including Luke-are pretty pumped about it. The leaders are too. We hope it goes well, but we won't be upset if it's not perfect. Like Kailey, we know that there's a gift of grace under each of our trees every year.

Isn't it great to know that even though our life at Christmas isn't perfect, the One who came is? It's our prayer that you'll experience the richness of God's grace this Christmas and in the coming year.

-Karen DeBoer, Kid Connection Editor

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