To My Magnificent Agents, Staff and Friends:
The past two Weekend Inspiration messages dealt with qualities that are the foundation for the true spirit of Christmas. Using Christmas stories, first generosity and then love were showcased. As I pondered how to continue that same theme this week, it occurred to me that one quality of Christmas that is not often in our holiday thoughts is sacrifice. That planted the seed of this week’s message.
After writing over the past two weeks about generosity and love, I recalled that each of these stories also involved sacrifice. The farmer and his son foregoing their own Christmas gifts in order to help a struggling widow and her children. The love between the elderly lady and her pet being so strong that even death could not separate them. Each act involved sacrifice.
As we strive to embrace the real reason for the season, we cannot escape the reality that the generosity and love that was behind that first Christmas came with a price. For the ultimate promise of the peace of Christmas that began in Bethlehem would not be fulfilled without the Cross of sacrifice.
In attempting to find a Christmas story that would exemplify the quality of sacrifice during this Christmas season, I had to look no further than our country’s men and women in uniform. As many complain of the stresses we encounter in entertaining and gifting, think about the thousands who will not enjoy this Christmas with their families because of their commitment to duty, honor and country.
I found the following story on a website called AllMilitary.com. It was written by a veteran named Michael Connelly. It says much about the sacrifices faced every day, even on Christmas, by our wonderful military members. It is simply titled A Soldier’s Christmas Story.
He doesn’t know exactly what time it is but his instincts tell him that it is approaching midnight on this Christmas Eve. Soon it will be Christmas morning at home and his own family will be getting up to have breakfast and open presents. His breakfast will consist of some cold sparse rations and a sip of water from his canteen. There will be no hot cider or coffee for him and no turkey dinner later in the day.
He hopes his family enjoys the Christmas celebration and understands why he can’t be with them. There are people in the world that would destroy the things he is fighting to defend, and he faces them this night. He would rather be home, but this is his choice and his responsibility. He hopes his countrymen appreciate what he is doing, but sometimes he wonders. Then he tells himself that it doesn’t matter, he would be here anyway.
The soldier takes a moment to reach out and gently touch the Christmas tree he and his buddy had set up shortly before he died. It’s not really a tree at all, just a branch that had been blown off a real tree by an artillery shell. They had dug a hole in the hard ground and set it up. Of course, they had no tinsel or ornaments so they decorated it with empty cartridge shells and hoped that the Lord would understand. It was the only way they had to honor his birth.
By now, you may be wondering what place this is and who this soldier fights for. He is an American soldier and the name of the place doesn’t matter. It could be Valley Forge, Northern Virginia, the Ardennes, the Chosin Reservoir, the Mekong Delta, or somewhere near Kabul or Baghdad. For over 200 years, there have been American soldiers far away from home every Christmas watching our backs. Today they are of both genders and many races and religions.
On this Christmas Eve, the soldier quietly hums Silent Night and again wonders if anybody really cares. Then he hears a voice from the darkness. It is a soothing and pleasant voice and admonishes him gently for his doubts. “I was born on this night to bring my Father’s word to the world.” says the voice. “My Father is called by many different names and worshiped by many people in different ways, but you are still his protector. You guard the right to believe and you are not alone on this Christmas Eve. I am by your side and I salute you. WELL DONE AMERICAN SOLDIER!”
I am not making light of the stresses that commonly affect many during holidays. But, if you feel overwhelmed, pressured and stretched too thin amid the hustle and bustle of Christmas pressures, think for a moment about what our soldiers stationed in distant lands will be enduring this Christmas. Then, perhaps you will think of the stresses you are feeling as merely your small cross and bear it proudly and graciously…our soldiers sure do!
“A man who was completely innocent, offered himself as a sacrifice for the good of others, including his enemies, and became the ransom of the world. It was a perfect act.” – Mohandas Gandhi
Have an AWE-full weekend!
Bill