PJ's December Blog

Dear Friends,

“For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9: 6

I was reading the Letters To Santa in the Daily Journal from 2003. It amazing me what children are hoping for this Christmas. Here are just a few of them:
Dear Santa: I want Barbe, I want a clok. I want a pal. Love, Maribel (age 6)
Dear Santa: I hope you come to me. I wesh for a cat. Hav a happy new year you are my favorite Santa. From, Samantha
Dear Santa: I hope you git me lots of toys. I hope you com my way. Mary Crissmiss. Nic

These are some of the sort of things you might expect a child to write in a letter to Santa. But then I came to these short yet powerful letters.

Dear Santa: I want My family to be Happy and I want My family to Hav food and I Love My family and My family love me. Love, Lolita (age 6)
Dear Santa: Please I was good I wish my family could get back together, So we could be the happiest family we would go to Kmart. Takeyah (age 6)
Dear Santa: Will my mom have a happy Christmas? Will my Puppy Get? Kan I Git Nomkos? Love, Megan

There is no doubt in my mind that there are countless children who are hoping for something of love this year. Not a love that is found in gift wrappings but a love that is found in a child – the Christ Child. Megan and Takeyah and Lolita are hurting. They are hoping for joy and peace to come to their families. How about you? What are you hoping for this Christmas?

Maybe we should encourage our children to write a letter to Jesus this Christmas. I wonder what the children would ask Jesus for this Christmas. What would you ask of the son of God, the Prince of Peace, the Alpha and the Omega, the great I am?

It is Jesus Christ who said to his followers in the upper room after His death and resurrection – Peace be with you. Wow! What a gift Jesus bring to a world that is hurting. This is my prayer for all the hurting children and adults this Christmas:
“Dona nobis pacem, pacem. Dona nobis pacem.” It means – Grant us Peace! Grant us Peace! It is Jesus who is the one and only Prince of Peace!

In Christ,

Pastor Jim Gerth (P.J.)