Post by thewisefarmer on Dec 5, 2017 19:07:13 GMT
SEARCHING
Life in the little 400 square foot home beside the church holds great memories.
Nativity displays filled the home each Christmas time. Each figure from each set was arranged in a way to make the holiday feel complete. My kitten, Amissa, which means Friend in Hebrew, was my constant companion and helper. I enjoyed her assistance as I set up the Christmas decor.
Setting up the nativity that was carved of wood that came from the holy land was very special to me and my mind always go back to the time I was given the gift. I was only eight years old when our church had a fundraiser selling the pieces from Bethlehem. All I could afford to buy was the man on a donkey who was leading 3 camels. I set the 4 figures up in my room knowing they were carved from wood like the Lord had touched in his childhood as a carpenter. My purchase had helped the church and the display of God's critters carved by hand from Bethlehem olive wood made me feel very close to God himself.
Then Christmas morning, my grandmother gave me a box. Each figure was taken out carefully until the whole nativity was complete. That very special nativity held the love of God, joy of family and hope of peace. That Christmas and every Christmas after placing the tiny figure of Jesus into the manger brought hope, joy and love to the holiday.
The young calico watched me intently as I set the Christ figure into the manger with great loving care.
I headed off to work, shop and do other such mundane events away from the tiny house. When I returned, Amissa lead me to the manger. The baby Jesus was not in it.
A frantic loss overcame me. I search for Jesus everywhere. Then the kitten as if playing the game of "hot and cold" started meowing and purring as we walked. She would go suddenly quiet. As I moved, she guided me a step at a time "Getting warmer, getting warmer," the volume of her meows told me. If I walked the wrong way the softening of her cries would tell me I was getting colder. Until then with great delight she meowed loudly. "There He is!"
I placed the figure back into the manger with relief.
Day after day, I would return home to find the baby Jesus was not in the manger; and day after day, the game of searching and being lead to the little wooden Jesus would ensue. Amissa even began playing the game with others. She loved having people find Jesus.
Every Christmas, Amissa played the search for Jesus game at the holidays.
After many many years of loving friendship, cancer took Amissa from the earth.
Now when the baby Jesus is placed into the wooden manger, He remains there. I still search for other things in my life, but I always know where Jesus will be. I also know that the cat who was such a cherished friend is waiting for me to play the "hot and cold" game one last time. When I go to heaven, she will greet me delightfully to show me where the Lord is waiting for me.
Every Christmas I know in my heart as I set the little figure in the manger, ohhhhh what a friend we have in Jesus and that my little calico friend wants everyone to find Him.
Life in the little 400 square foot home beside the church holds great memories.
Nativity displays filled the home each Christmas time. Each figure from each set was arranged in a way to make the holiday feel complete. My kitten, Amissa, which means Friend in Hebrew, was my constant companion and helper. I enjoyed her assistance as I set up the Christmas decor.
Setting up the nativity that was carved of wood that came from the holy land was very special to me and my mind always go back to the time I was given the gift. I was only eight years old when our church had a fundraiser selling the pieces from Bethlehem. All I could afford to buy was the man on a donkey who was leading 3 camels. I set the 4 figures up in my room knowing they were carved from wood like the Lord had touched in his childhood as a carpenter. My purchase had helped the church and the display of God's critters carved by hand from Bethlehem olive wood made me feel very close to God himself.
Then Christmas morning, my grandmother gave me a box. Each figure was taken out carefully until the whole nativity was complete. That very special nativity held the love of God, joy of family and hope of peace. That Christmas and every Christmas after placing the tiny figure of Jesus into the manger brought hope, joy and love to the holiday.
The young calico watched me intently as I set the Christ figure into the manger with great loving care.
I headed off to work, shop and do other such mundane events away from the tiny house. When I returned, Amissa lead me to the manger. The baby Jesus was not in it.
A frantic loss overcame me. I search for Jesus everywhere. Then the kitten as if playing the game of "hot and cold" started meowing and purring as we walked. She would go suddenly quiet. As I moved, she guided me a step at a time "Getting warmer, getting warmer," the volume of her meows told me. If I walked the wrong way the softening of her cries would tell me I was getting colder. Until then with great delight she meowed loudly. "There He is!"
I placed the figure back into the manger with relief.
Day after day, I would return home to find the baby Jesus was not in the manger; and day after day, the game of searching and being lead to the little wooden Jesus would ensue. Amissa even began playing the game with others. She loved having people find Jesus.
Every Christmas, Amissa played the search for Jesus game at the holidays.
After many many years of loving friendship, cancer took Amissa from the earth.
Now when the baby Jesus is placed into the wooden manger, He remains there. I still search for other things in my life, but I always know where Jesus will be. I also know that the cat who was such a cherished friend is waiting for me to play the "hot and cold" game one last time. When I go to heaven, she will greet me delightfully to show me where the Lord is waiting for me.
Every Christmas I know in my heart as I set the little figure in the manger, ohhhhh what a friend we have in Jesus and that my little calico friend wants everyone to find Him.