This Christmas, I was planning to write to you on the subject of change. There’s been an incredible amount of it all around us lately. Presidential election, new legislation, people leaving, people coming – but then I saw something
that affected me profoundly.
While participating in the Cleveland Christmas parade, I saw something I will not soon forget. In the float staging area, directly in front of me was a lovely church float. It had a sweet nativity scene
with all the usual cast of characters. However in the back of the truck, towing the float, was what looked like a deer stand anchored in the truck’s bed. It was covered with a lovely silky skirting from its seat all the way to the bed. I got busy with
other things and when I looked back around, there sitting on the contraption was the sweetest little angel you’ve ever seen.
Her dress connected to the skirting to make one very long flowing garment. She was up lit with spotlights,
but they couldn’t have shone any brighter than this precious angel’s bubbly personality. She smiled; she waved, laughed, wiggled and giggled. She kicked her feet, which made her robe’s ‘skirt’ dance merrily. ‘What a happy
little angel’, I thought and wondered out loud if Gabriel got his start this way. It was such a delight to watch this child’s joyful demeanor.
Soon the parade started to move and pull out of the staging area and I found
myself unable to stop watching the ‘littlest’ angel. As the truck swayed a bit, I caught my breath. This child was facing backwards. She could not see the road ahead to brace herself for rough areas. Perched up high, she could easily fall or get
thrown from her ‘seat’. I could not take my eyes away and began to whisper under my breath, “Dear Lord, don’t let anything happen to the littlest angel.” I had seen her ‘secured’ in, but was that enough? I began to
wonder what kind of parent would let their child ride on such a thing.
No matter how I tried, I could not take my eyes off the child. The parade slowly snaked and swayed its way toward down town. And then as we began to round a large
curve, I noticed something resting on the littlest angel’s side. It was a hand, an adult’s hand. As the truck made its way around the bend, the owner of the hand came in view. Behind this child, holding on to her the entire time, was her father.
Immediately, I was struck by how similar the littlest angel’s situation was to my own life. I cannot always see the road ahead and even when I can, I don’t always recognize potential problems or ‘bumps’ in the road. Often
times, I feel up there or out there without a net. Merrily going my own way, sometimes I don’t realize how precarious my situation really is.
But unseen yet always felt, my Father holds me fast. No matter the distance or terrain,
He travels it with me and He never, never lets go. Secure in His steadfast Hands, I can fully experience the joy that His devotion gives me. Others may wonder about the kind of ‘parent’ I have, but I know the true unwavering love my Father has
for me.
That, my friends, is what Christmas is all about. Our Father loved us enough to come to earth to secure our future. During this holiday season, I pray that you will feel our Father’s Hands on you and your life and that
you know the security of His ever faithful love.