This is Someone’s First Christmas in Heaven
Radio Commentary, 90.7, 91.7 New Life FM, December 23, 2011
By Sue Ella Deadwyler
Good morning, Jim. In October this year, thieves broke into and ransacked the Salvation Army’s locked food storage in Port Angeles, Washington. But churchgoers replaced the stolen inventory with over 11 tons of goods – a hundred times more than the thieves took – and that’s nothing new! American generosity always responds for those in need and it multiplies at Christmas time.
An Indianapolis father of three burst into tears when a woman paid his bill at the layaway counter this year. In Concord, N.C. someone paid layaway bills for four people and in Omaha a woman, who remembered how tough it was for her mom at Christmas, paid five layaway bills. In Missoula, Montana layaways for six customers would have been put back in stock, if a kind-hearted man hadn’t paid $1,200 to cover their bills. As Christmas grew nearer, reports surfaced of needy people in Georgia whose layaway bills were paid by strangers.
As you celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, remember this. He gave His blood so we could have eternal life. If you feel the void left by deceased loved ones, let Him be your comfort. Just pretend the loved one wrote this poem just for you. It’s entitled, “My First Christmas in Heaven.”
I see the countless Christmas trees around the world below, With tiny lights like Heaven’s stars reflecting on the snow, The sight so spectacular, please wipe away that tear, For I am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year. I hear the many Christmas songs that people hold so dear, But the sound of music cannot compare With the Christmas choir up here.
I have no words to tell you the joy your voices bring, For it is beyond description to hear the angels sing. I know how much you miss me, I see the pain inside your heart, But I am not so far away, we really aren’t apart. So be happy for me, dear ones, you know I hold you near, And be glad I’m spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year. I send you each a special gift, from my heavenly home above,
I send you each a memory of my undying love. After all, love is a gift more precious than pure gold. It is always most important in the stories Jesus told. Please love each other as the Father said to do, For I cannot count the blessings or love He has for you. So have a Merry Christmas and wipe away that tear. Remember, I am spending Christmas With Jesus Christ this year.
That poem was sent to me when my mother died and it was such a blessing! I trust it ministers to those of you who so keenly feel the loss of loved ones this Christmas. It’s a great poem to save for future use! Merry Christmas from our house to your house! For Georgia Insight, I’m Sue Ella Deadwyler, your Capitol correspondent.