A GOOD CHRISTMAS STORY ABOUT A CUCKOO CLOCK

A deaconess and a nurse belonging to the care staff in Bethaniahuset near Solingen had a special experience:

Keeping in mind the many needy in the world, she had over a period of many weeks before Christmas packed 24 packages. All the tasks, i.e. shopping, packing and shipping had sapped her strength, yet filled her with a sense of inner satisfaction.

But there was another package to go, the one to Poland. It was just enough money to send it. A quick glance at one of the empty walls however reminded her about the wish she had had a long time to buy a cuckoo. When all was said and done, should she also be quite good with herself! Had the Bible is not a call to Christians to love others as themselves ? 24 packages were proof of her love for those who were neighbours, her friends and relatives! Now it should be OK to be a little kind to yourself as well!

As Christmas approached, she could not really get peace of mind. Several times she had been out looking for the cuckoo, but each time the money was placed back into the purse.

"Maybe the people in Poland didn't need help no more, she tried to say to herself. But then it was suddenly clear to her that this was only an attempt to curb her good intentions, and she went and spent her last money on things that are not available in Poland. In no time the package was ready and sent off

Relieved, she returned home to rest after a long trip to the post office. Suddenly the doorbell rang. A little hesitant, she opened the door and there stood the postman with a package for her. She had no idea who could have sent it. After some time she managed to spell her way through the name of the sender. And then she remembered . It was some people from Schwarzwald, whom she had met a while ago and later provided with Christian literature.

When the wrapping paper came off, and the box was opened, she had to restrain herselv not to shout for joy. In the box she found a cuckoo, a genuine cuckoo from tSchwarzwald !

The people in Schwarzwald felt that they wanted to show appreciation for the Christian literature, that the deaconess had sent to them. Or was it God himself who used the family in the Schwarzwald to light up on the wall and in this faithful diakonisses life? Call it what you want, but the German deaconess is convinced that God does not just listen to the silent prayers that we have in our heart, but he also speaks to us , even through a cuckoos call. Every full hour when the cuckoo beats , it reminds her of how victory over greed and selflessness can lead to the greatest joy.

Many years ago I knew a young man . He was not easy to understand . You never knew where you had him. Once he was a glowing fan of YMCA ; soon after he was an eager opponent. One time he was fanatical teetotaler, not long after that I met him a bit drunk. Next he became a clerk, and a little later he was to be a farmer. The one moment he was in excellent mood and soon after the blackest melancholic. Often I thought, what is really the matter with you? I wondered what's the key to the spiritual life? What is your secret? He said nothing - later he came out of my horizon. Long after I got to know his secret from another source. It was indescribably sad . He had had many terrible experiences as a young boy. They had torn his mind, and destroyed the foundation for him.

Paul is talking somewhere about something he calls the mystery of lawlessness . There are many young people whose actual secrets are connected with lawlessness . And you can not keep the true meaning of Christmas with some lawless interior. There will come no real Christmas joy. Will there ?

No and yes. It depends on whether you want to come out with your secret? Will you confess it honestly for Christ, then this can turn into a completely new and great blessing, then you will learn the secrets of devoutness, the secret of our Lord Jesus Christ - it opens for sinners. It was sinners like you and me that Jesus came to save. He wants to save them. That's what Christmas is asking you for this year : Is there anything you would like to say to God ? Will you not tell him everything, just as it is - and get help for it?

Then something happens secretive with you. It's that simple.

A CHRISTMAS MIRACLE
The Christmas miracle is that the Son of God came as a human being, with a genuine body, with a real human soul. The result will be something. Lik this a man like you and I can also be a part in the divine nature. There may be coming something completely new from God to us. A christmas peace can enter the soul. A glorious new force to fight and win can be given to us.

And so , Jesus is not only the beginning of time and the centre of the universe and all human beings. But he wants to be the center for me. All my thoughts and powers and abilities are about him. They are determined and set by him and made in His service. They revolve around him and get all the light and power from him. When someone asks us what 's your secret ? Then our reply is. Jesusis my secret.
That's the Christmas answer that fits for the entire year