A Christmas To Remember
December 20th, 2012
For many of us, this Christmas is turning out to be a solemn
one. Even trying to get into the spirit makes you feel a touch of
guilt due to the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary. I'll admit, it's not
so joyous at all. I too have been consumed as to the whys and the hows.
We all have.
The posts on Facebook and throughout the internet have been overwhelming. The feeling of numbness has taken it's toll, yet the initial shock has faded. I too have been caught up in the sadness and devoted some time do a video in memory of those lost. It was the hardest video I ever made. Seeing those little faces and thinking about what the parents are having to go through as they stare at their child's Christmas gifts under the tree, knowing they will never be opened. My pain is your pain and I am truly sorry.
There was also a poem that circulated that I would like to share with you. It was poem written and attached to a beautiful picture showing Jesus with all the children in the classroom as their teacher read a story.
The poem read:
Twas' 11 days before Christmas, around 9:38,
When 20 beautiful children stormed through Heaven's gate.
Their smiles were contagious, their laughter filled the air,
They could hardly believe all the beauty they saw there.
They were filled with such joy, they didn't know what to say,
They remembered nothing of what had happened earlier that day.
"Where are we?" asked a little girl, as quiet as a mouse.
"This is heaven," declared a small boy. "We're spending Christmas at God's house."
When what to their wondering eyes did appear,
But Jesus, their savior, the children gathered near.
He looked at them and smiled, and they smiled just the same.
Then he opened his arms and he called them by name.
And in that moment was joy, that only Heaven can bring,
Those children all flew into the arms of their King.
And as they lingered in the warmth of his embrace,
One small girl turned and looked at Jesus' face.
And as if he could read all the questions she had,
He gently whispered to her, "I'll take care of Mom and Dad."
He looked down on earth, the world far below,
He saw all of the hurt, the sorrow, and woe.
He then closed his eyes and he outstretched his hand,
"Let my power and presence re-enter this land!"
"May this country be delivered from the hands of fools
I'm taking back my nation. I'm taking back my schools!"
Then he and the children stood up without a sound,
"Come now my children, let me show you around."
Excitement filled the space, some skipped and some ran,
All displaying enthusiasm that only a small child can.
And I heard him proclaim as he walked out of sight,
"In the midst of this darkness, I AM STILL THE LIGHT."
-Written by Cameo Smith, Mount Wolf, Pennsylvania
I keep reading it and find myself sad, yet angry too. I think about my kids, our schools, the guns, and the world in which we live in. And it's not getting any better. It's a sad reality to our children's future unless we as parents stand up and do something about it. They say it takes a village to raise a child, so why can't we at least try?
I will end this with Happy Holidays, which we all need to still try and have, yet keeping those families in our hearts throughout.
YouTube Video I made:
In Memory of Those Lost at Sandy Hook Elementary
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvSX6yS-ptM
The posts on Facebook and throughout the internet have been overwhelming. The feeling of numbness has taken it's toll, yet the initial shock has faded. I too have been caught up in the sadness and devoted some time do a video in memory of those lost. It was the hardest video I ever made. Seeing those little faces and thinking about what the parents are having to go through as they stare at their child's Christmas gifts under the tree, knowing they will never be opened. My pain is your pain and I am truly sorry.
There was also a poem that circulated that I would like to share with you. It was poem written and attached to a beautiful picture showing Jesus with all the children in the classroom as their teacher read a story.
The poem read:
Twas' 11 days before Christmas, around 9:38,
When 20 beautiful children stormed through Heaven's gate.
Their smiles were contagious, their laughter filled the air,
They could hardly believe all the beauty they saw there.
They were filled with such joy, they didn't know what to say,
They remembered nothing of what had happened earlier that day.
"Where are we?" asked a little girl, as quiet as a mouse.
"This is heaven," declared a small boy. "We're spending Christmas at God's house."
When what to their wondering eyes did appear,
But Jesus, their savior, the children gathered near.
He looked at them and smiled, and they smiled just the same.
Then he opened his arms and he called them by name.
And in that moment was joy, that only Heaven can bring,
Those children all flew into the arms of their King.
And as they lingered in the warmth of his embrace,
One small girl turned and looked at Jesus' face.
And as if he could read all the questions she had,
He gently whispered to her, "I'll take care of Mom and Dad."
He looked down on earth, the world far below,
He saw all of the hurt, the sorrow, and woe.
He then closed his eyes and he outstretched his hand,
"Let my power and presence re-enter this land!"
"May this country be delivered from the hands of fools
I'm taking back my nation. I'm taking back my schools!"
Then he and the children stood up without a sound,
"Come now my children, let me show you around."
Excitement filled the space, some skipped and some ran,
All displaying enthusiasm that only a small child can.
And I heard him proclaim as he walked out of sight,
"In the midst of this darkness, I AM STILL THE LIGHT."
-Written by Cameo Smith, Mount Wolf, Pennsylvania
I keep reading it and find myself sad, yet angry too. I think about my kids, our schools, the guns, and the world in which we live in. And it's not getting any better. It's a sad reality to our children's future unless we as parents stand up and do something about it. They say it takes a village to raise a child, so why can't we at least try?
I will end this with Happy Holidays, which we all need to still try and have, yet keeping those families in our hearts throughout.
YouTube Video I made:
In Memory of Those Lost at Sandy Hook Elementary
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvSX6yS-ptM
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