journey onWord with us

What’s the most memorable gift that you have ever received? You may remember a childhood gift that was just the one you wanted. Your favorite gift may have special meaning because of the thoughtfulness or sacrifice of the person who gave it. And then, we could all list a gift that was, shall I say, “A dud”. In the next few days, gifts will be given and received as an expression of the deep love felt in our families. For Christmas, I wanted to share a story that reflects family love, but can help all of us get a glimpse of true Christmas love.

The year was 1952, and it was a cold Christmas Eve. In a land far away, Korea was in the midst of a civil war. On this Christmas Eve, a young woman was about to give birth, alone. Follow the story and reflect on a mother’s love, and the love of God, as written by Bill Bright.

“Help me! Please. My baby.” No one paid any attention to her. A middle-aged couple walked by. The wife pushed away the young mother and sneered, “Where’s the father? Where’s your American man now?” The couple laughed and went on. The young woman almost doubled up from a contraction as she watched them go. “Please . . .” she begged. 

She had heard of a missionary living nearby who might help her. Hurriedly, she began walking to that village. If only he would help her baby. Shivering and in pain, she struggled over the frozen countryside. But the night was so cold. Snow began to fall. Realizing that the time was near to deliver her baby, she took shelter under a bridge. There, alone, her baby was born on Christmas Eve.

Worried about her newborn son, she took off her own clothes, wrapped them around the baby and held him close in the warm circle of her arms.

The next day, the missionary braved the new snow to deliver Christmas packages. As he walked along, he heard the cry of a baby. He followed the sound to a bridge. Under it, he found a young mother frozen to death, still clutching her crying newborn son. The missionary tenderly lifted the baby out of her arms.

When the baby was 10 years old, his now adoptive father told him the story of his mother’s death on Christmas Eve. The young boy cried, realizing the sacrifice his mother had made for him.

The next morning, the missionary rose early to find the boy’s bed empty. Seeing a fresh set of small footprints in the snow outside, he bundled up warmly in a winter coat and followed the trail. It led back to the bridge where the young mother had died.

As the missionary approached the bridge, he stopped, stunned. Kneeling in the snow was his son, naked and shivering uncontrollably. His clothes lay beside him in a small pile. Moving closer, he heard the boy say through chattering teeth:

“Mother, were you this cold for me?”  

What an indescribable love! But far greater is the indescribable love that caused Jesus to leave heaven and be born in a stable for a sinful world. His mother had her own issues finding a place for His birth. As you know, there was no room in the Inn. She gave birth to the Son of God in a stable! He came so that you and I could receive the gift of all gifts: eternal life in heaven. That’s what Christmas is all about! And I trust that a young Korean mother’s love will help you reflect on the Savior’s eternal love! Indescribable!