This story comes from a Bible Gateway daily devotional. The same God who reached out to our world in the sending of Christ is still reaching out in love to people around the world. The message never changes:
"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, ---
Chinese evangelist, Brother Xi, was travelling one very cold Christmas Eve in
the rugged province of Gansu. As he came to the next village he sensed
something was wrong. He introduced himself as a bearer of good news. A small
man interrupted, “Well we have only bad news here right now. A couple has just
had their baby stolen.” In the poorer areas of China, where couples are
restricted to one child, it is not uncommon to have child snatching, even
stealing babies for wealthy childless couples in the cities.
He stepped inside the house to find both husband and wife staring quietly at
him. The couple’s grief hung heavy in the air. He said, “I’m so sorry to hear
about your plight, but I know someone who may help...God. Let me pray to Him.”
There was no reaction on the couple’s faces, so he went into prayer, feeling
very uncomfortable indeed. “Dear Father, many years ago at this same time of
year you sent a child into the world and rescued us all; we ask today that you
will send back this child to us, and deliver this village from the sadness
which grips it, Amen.”
Suddenly the young husband spoke, “Shut up and go away. We have prayed to our
gods and nothing has happened. Why should yours be any different?” He was
grabbed from behind by the other villagers and propelled out of the village.
“Don't you dare come here again!” they bawled.
He wandered the hills in a daze of humiliation, tears, and crying to God. Then
he thought l went to that village expecting a hero’s welcome, or at the very
least, I relied on being a curiosity, quizzed and entertained by people who
live very dull and isolated lives. Instead, I had only been treated a little
like Christ was treated.
Kneeling there in the snow, he knew what he had to do—go back to that village,
knowing for sure he would be despised. This was to follow in the Master’s
footsteps. With a pounding heart he turned and began to walk slowly back
towards the village. Suddenly, across the still late afternoon air, he heard a
baby’s cry coming from what appeared to be an old well shaft.
Sure enough six feet down was a little baby, wrapped in a thick blanket, lying
at the bottom of the dry-well. He climbed down to hug some warmth back into
it. It was a baby girl. Those who snatched it did not know it was a girl, and
finding later that it was, left it in this old well to die.
He walked back to the village with the precious bundle of life. The villagers
came running. They were amazed and overjoyed as they led him to the cottage of
the poor couple, and the smile on the mother’s face as he placed her baby into
her lap was unforgettable. “Come, warm yourself by the fire” said the husband.
They drew up a chair for him, and as the other villagers crowded round, he
asked, “Who was that God you prayed to?”
What an invitation. Here he was, the honored guest, looking at thirty eager
people, waiting with bated breath to hear the Gospel. “Well,” he began, “He
came to earth in the form of a little baby, just about this time 2000 years
ago...”
--- and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
EverlastingFather, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the greatness of his governmentand peace
there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever."
Merry Christmas1
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