You know how Christmas seems to be more hectic than peaceful with all of the purchases and running around trying not to forget anyone. It was like that when Jesus was born too, as the Inns were full of occupants and people trying to get settled in an overfilled city. But away in a manger was a tiny babe wrapped up and warm in His mothers arms with stars shining bright overhead and the gentle sounds of sheep close by. This, to me, sounds like a ride in the country - sure it smells of manure, but look at the land, at the natural colors, the trees and flowers, and all of the animals in their natural settings. No cramps spaces with honks of the many cars filled with people rushing, rushing, rushing around. It sounds better in that manger scene to me, as their focus was simple - Jesus. Tonight, I thought, what if other families were to take a moment before their meal to remember Jesus in a modern day manger. We are the Body of Christ, and there are some members of Christ's body in a modern day manger, we call them orphanages, and there are no rooms in the Inns (in loving homes of a mother and father) for these precious children. In this modern day manger scene, there's no Mary or Joseph either. There are approximately 153 million orphans in the world, and you may know of one that's about to be taken off that list. If not, in about 10-14 weeks, we will be traveling to remove 5 orphans from that list. But, this Christmas they will remain outside of the "Inn" crowd, they will remain unwanted (as they don't know we are here for them), and this Christmas, they will continue to think that because they are a sibling group of 5, they will never be adopted. For our modern day manger scene, we are the "Mary" and "Joseph", and we are fighting to get to our babies, but they don't know that. You may know of a "Mary" trying to reach the manger to hold her baby Jesus, but there are so many obstacles in the way. Would you take a moment to pray for our orphans before your family unwraps their Christmas presents or before the Christmas meal? Would you take a moment to pray for the "Mary" and the "Joseph" you know or would you answer the call to become the answer for one orphan? Would you take a moment to help others remember how blessed we are to have someone to call family? You can visit our site at Lusherfamily.weebly.com, or you can print and read this article on us for a more "real" story of adoption: http://www.southeastoutlook.org/news/features/article_70d2ca74-4c74-11e3-9453-001a4bcf6878.html We're not the only ones adopting, so if you know of someone who is, would you consider praying for them this Christmas Day? Let's also remember the many children who will age out this Christmas season (and beyond) and will never have the opportunity to call on a "Mom" or "Dad" for help. I'm so grateful to have been adopted by Jesus, and I'm so thrilled to be on this crazy journey to adopt 5 more children and to have 4 here with me now. Let's make this Christmas even more meaningful as we put the focus back on Jesus, who wasn't born to be a part of the "Inn" crowd, but Who has changed our lives for the better. Visit http://reecesrainbow.org/ for even more children who need your prayers.
James 1:27English Standard Version (ESV)
27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.