A Christmas dedication

But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.  Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out,“Abba, Father.” (Galatians 4:4-6)

Yes, Christmas is about God sending his Son so that we can receive adoption as God's children through him.  Without Christ, we are all orphans.

So the video below is dedicated to Chip and Susan, who recently brought home a little girl from China to be theirs.  To Frank and Robin, who are doing a wonderful job raising their daughter Ella Grace, also from China. To Tymm and Laura, who are raising a daughter from Ethiopia and will soon travel back there to bring home another child.  To Corey and Sumer, who are in east Africa making sure many children (including my sponsored kids Brouk and Hagersaw) are in school for the first time this fall.  To Amanda and all my friends who are part of Visiting Orphans, bringing love to children all over the world.  And to countless others who live out God's heart, some of whom I'm sure I should be mentioning by name here.

This song is for y'all.  Merry Christmas!




Lyrics:
There's a little girl trembling on a cold December morn
Crying for momma's arms
At an orphanage just outside a little China town
There the forgotten are

But half a world away I hang the stockings by the fire
And dream about the day when I can finally call you mine

It's Christmas time again but you're not home
Your family is here and yet you're somewhere else alone
And so tonight I pray that God will come and hold you in his arms
And tell you from my heart I wish you Merry Christmas

As I hang the tinsel on the tree and watch the twinkling lights
I'm warmed by the fire's glow
Outside the children tumble in a wonderland of white,
Make angels in the snow

But half a world away you try your best to fight the tears
And hope that heaven's angels come to carry you here

It's Christmas time again but you're not home
Your family is here and yet you're somewhere else alone
And so tonight I pray that God will come and hold you in his arms
And tell you from my heart I wish you Merry Christmas

Christmas is a time to celebrate the holy child
And we celebrate his perfect gift of love
He came to earth to give his life
And prepare a place for us
So we could have a home with him above

It's Christmas time again and now you're home
Your family is here so you will never be alone
So tonight before you go to sleep, I'll hold you in my arms
And I'll tell you from my heart, and I'll you from my heart
I wish you Merry Christmas