Monday, 12/24/2012
Christmas Eve
Luke 2:1-7
Edna Hong, in her book, “Bright Valley of Love,” tells the true story of a young boy with multiple disabilities in Germany by the name of Gunther. He heard about Jesus for the first time at about six or seven years old, when he was brought to a Christian orphanage.
But just as he was about to celebrate his first Christmas, his first and best friend, Kurt, died. Gunther was just learning to talk, but he cried out, “There’s a crack in everything. There’s a crack in everything,” and, sobbing, he continued, “What’s so great about Christmas?”
The man the children called Uncle Pastor sensed Gunther’s cry for help, so full of pain, and he asked if the other children could answer Gunther’s question: “What’s so great about Christmas?”
One little girl answered, “Christmas is so great because God sent his son, Jesus, to be our Savior.”
“That is true,” said the pastor, “But does anyone know why God sent his Son?”
A little girl, Leni, thought for a while, and finally she shouted triumphantly, “Because… because… everything has a crack in it.”
Gunther worked as a custodian for over 40 years, and there he died. But he never forgot Leni’s reason for Christmas, “Because everything has a crack in it.”
We thank you, Lord Jesus, that you entered our world to heal the many cracks, even in our lives. Amen!
Hub Nelson
Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, Edina, Minn. (Retired)
Master of Divinity, 1962
Luke 2:1-7 (NRSV)
1 In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered.
2 This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria.
3 All went to their own towns to be registered.
4 Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David.
5 He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child.
6 While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child.
7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
[From “God Pause”, Luther Seminary]