The Candle of Joy

A week before Christmas, my mother used to call the children around the neighborhood to tell them a story. It was always the same story, but the children were never tired of it. The story is about Nancy, a teen ager, finding joy in her lonely life.

Two days before Christmas Eve, Nancy, a homeless orphan, wandered alone on the streets in a strange town. No one noticed her except the cold wind blowing against her. Nancy was passing from a house to another. Looking through to each house's window, she could see a tall-and-steady Christmas tree with colorful lights. She also saw the kids at her age enjoying their happy moments with their family. She wished she could be among these kids.

After walking for several hours in the night, the cold wind was blowing stronger and the streets were darker. Nancy was afraid of being alone in a strange town. While walking and looking for a place to stay, she held a prayer in silence, "Oh God, let me find a place to stay tonight…" A moment later, she saw bright starlight shining from a far distance. Suddenly, she felt calm, safe, and no longer afraid.

When she walked near to the light, under the shining star there was a manger display in front of an old church. As she was curiously wondering the people--the baby, the baby's mom and dad, the shepherds--displaying in the manger, a man from the church came out to greet her and invited her to have a supper with his family and stayed overnight.

During the dinner, he told her the story about the starlight and who the infant in the manger was. The baby's name is Emmanuel, which means "God With Us". Emmanuel was born 2000 years ago to bring us hope, love, peace, and joy. As listening to the story, Nancy had many smiles on her face. She no longer felt alone from that night because she knows God is with her when she invited Him into her heart.

Are you feeling empty and lonely? Do you want to have a real joy in your life today? Emmanuel will fulfill and renew your heart with great joy if you invite Him into your heart.