Christian Photographers Community

The Missing Jesus
--author unknown

About a week before Christmas, Mom bought a new nativity
scene. When she unpacked it, she found two figures of the
Baby Jesus.

"Someone must have packed this wrong," Mother said, counting
out the figures. "We have one Joseph, one Mary, three wise
men, three shepherds, two lambs, a donkey, a cow, an angel
and two babies. Oh, dear! I suppose some set down at the
store is missing a Baby Jesus because we have two. You two
run back down to the store, and tell the manager that we
have an extra Jesus. Tell him to put a sign on the remaining
boxes saying that if a set is missing a Baby Jesus, call 7126.
Put on your warm coats, it's freezing cold out there."

The manager of the store copied down Mother's message, and
the next time we were in the store, we saw the cardboard sign
that read, "If you're missing Baby Jesus, call 7126."

All week long we waited for someone to call. Surely, we
thought, someone was missing that important figurine. Each
time the phone rang, Mother would say, "I'll bet that's about
Jesus." But it never was.

Father tried to explain there are thousands of these scattered
over the country, and the figurine could be missing from a set
in Florida or Texas or California. Those packing mistakes
happen all the time. He suggested that she just put the extra
Jesus back in the box and forget about it.

"Put Baby Jesus back in the box?! What a terrible thing to do,"
said Mother. "Surely someone will call. We'll just keep the two
of them together in the manger until someone does."

When no call had come by 5:00 on Christmas Eve, Mother insisted
that Father "just run down to the store" to see if there were
any sets left. "You can see them right through the window, over
on the counter," she said. "If they are all gone, I'll know
someone is bound to call tonight."

"Run down to the store?" Father thundered. "It's 15 below zero
out there!"

"Oh, Daddy, we'll go with you!" We began to put on our coats.

Father gave a long sigh and headed for the front closet. "I
can't believe I'm doing this," he muttered. We ran ahead as
father reluctantly walked out in the cold.

Tommy got to the store first and pressed his nose up to the
store window. "They're all gone, Daddy," he shouted. "Every
set must be sold. Hooray! The mystery will be solved tonight!"

Father heard the news still a half block away and immediately
turned on his heel and headed back home. When we got back into
the house, we noticed that mother was gone and so was the extra
Baby Jesus figurine.

"Someone must have called, and she went out to deliver the
figurine," father reasoned, pulling off his boots. "You kids
get ready for bed while I wrap mother's present." Then the phone
rang. Father yelled, "Answer the phone and tell 'em we found a
home for Jesus."

But it was mother calling with instructions for us to come to
205 Chestnut Street immediately, and bring three blankets, a box
of cookies and some milk...

"Now what has she gotten us into?" father groaned as we bundled
up again. "205 Chestnut. Why that's across town. Wrap that milk
up good in the blankets, or it will turn to ice before we get
there. Why can't we all just get on with Christmas? It's
probably 20 below out there now, snd the wind is picking up. Of
all the crazy things to do on a night like this."

When we got to the house at 205 Chestnut Street, it was the
darkest one on the block. Only one tiny light burned in the
living room, and the moment we set foot on the porch steps,
mother opened the door and shouted, "They're here! Oh thank God
you got here, Ray! You kids take those blankets into the living
room, and wrap up the little ones on the couch. I'll take the
milk and cookies."

"Would you mind telling me what is going on, Ethel?" father
asked. "We have just walked through below zero weather with
the wind in our faces all the way."

"Never mind all that now," mother interrupted. "There is no
heat in this house, and this young mother is so upset, she
doesn't know what to do. Her husband walked out on her, and
those poor little children will have a very bleak Christmas,
so don't you complain. I told her you could fix that oil
furnace in a jiffy."

My mother strode off to the kitchen to warm the milk while
my brother and I wrapped up the five little children who
were huddled together on the couch. The children's mother
explained to my father that her husband had run off, taking
bedding, clothing and almost every piece of furniture, but
she had been doing all right until the furnace broke down.

"I been doin' washin' an ironin' for people and cleanin'
the five and dime," she said. "I saw your number every day
there, on those boxes on the counter. When the furnace went
out, that number kept goin' through my mind, 7162. Said on
the box that if a person was missin' Jesus, they should call
you. That's how I knew you were good Christian people,
willin' to help folks. I figured that maybe you would help
me, too. So I stopped at the grocery store tonight, and I
called your missus. I'm not missin' Jesus, mister, because
I sure love the Lord, but I am missin' heat. I have no money
to fix that furnace."

"Okay, okay," said Father. "You've come to the right place.
Now let's see. You've got a little oil burner over there in
the dining room. Shouldn't be too hard to fix. Probably just
a clogged flue. I'll look it over, see what it needs."

Mother came into the living room carrying a plate of cookies
and warm milk. As she set the cups down on the coffee table,
I noticed the figure of Baby Jesus lying in the center of the
table. It was the only sign of Christmas in the house. The
children stared wide-eyed with wonder at the plate of cookies
my mother set before them.

Father finally got the oil burner working but said, "You need
more oil. I'll make a few calls tonight and get some oil. Yes
sir, you came to the right place." Father grinned.

On the way home, Father did not complain about the cold
weather and had barely set foot inside the door when he was
on the phone. "Ed, hey, how are ya, Ed? Yes, Merry Christmas
to you, too. Say Ed, we have kind of an unusual situation here.
I know you've got that pick-up truck. Do you still have some oil
in that barrel on your truck? You do?"

By this time, the rest of the family was pulling clothes out of
their closets and toys off of their shelves. It was long after
our bedtime, and we were wrapping gifts.

The pickup came. On it were chairs, three lamps, blankets and
gifts. Even though it was 30 below, father let us ride along in
the back of the truck.

No one ever did call about the missing figure in the nativity
set, but as I grow older, I realize that it wasn't a packing
mistake at all...

Jesus saves, that's what He does.
====================

We aren't having church tonight, next Sunday night or the next 2 Wednesdays.  So I am wondering where is everyone tonight?

I had Savannah over here for a good part of the afternoon, Gilbert and forest went shopping, then when they got back and after visiting here of a bit, Savannah and Gilbert went home and Forest stayed here and had dinner with me. They each had their time on the computer. That's why I haven't been here.

What's you excuse? Huh? HUh?

Hi all.

I just got done practicing my graphics it is realy fun.

here are two I like.



and



thank you for everything!!

No excuse Marilyn.  Simply been busy and also battling a seasonal virus.
I went to a nice Christmas luncheon at our church.  Also made a trip to Victoria.  Had to escape the packing boxes for a city fix.  

It has taken me ages to catch up on reading all the posts...finally done.  Then went to view the photo's.  I have not been at the computer lately have missed hearing about your adventures.

Thanks for the devotionals Pat.  I have sent a couple of pictures for you to struggle with again.  Promise to learn about everything when settled in my new home.  Have even bought a book 'How to do everything with your Digital Camera.'  (that will be the day)

This one is for you Mullet!

We have been helping with the cake,
And licking out the pan,
And wrapping up our packages,
As neatly as we can.
We have hung our stockings up,
Beside the open grate,
And there's nothing more to do
Except
To
Wait!
        -author unknown

We all have Christmas Socks and it is almost as much fun finding things to stuff as unwrap...Who said that Christmas is just for kids?

Pleasant dreams and God Bless.
Liz.

I think I will hit the hay early tonight.  

Later folks!
Soni

THank you LIZ That was very special of you to put that up for me thank you.

Mullet, you are so clever.  I need you to come teach me how to do those graphics---I haven't a clue!

You'll have a double, double, triple WHAT??

Abby is here, and I let her open one of her gifts early.  It is paper dolls, and we have been cutting out paper doll clothes.  She likes them.  There are also some for her to color.  It seems paper dolls are back "in" now.

Liz, good to see you again!  Don't get too overwhelmed with your move!

See you folks in the morning--time to go read a bedtime story to my lovely visitor!

Marilyn, I'm so glad to hear you are getting to spend time with your grandkids!  Enjoy!

goodnight all!!! usa 9:23pm.


have a good day!!!!

What a cute dog, Zachery---but please come back in here and mop up his mess! HAHAHAHA!  Good night, sleep tight, don't let the bedbugs bite.  If they do, squeeze them tight, so they won't bite tomorrow night!

Pat is unavailable tonight, and she asked me to just have you continue posting in this thread.  So nobody gets a bonk on the head or the door slammed in their face tonight!

Good night!

Quote from: Janet on December 21, 2003, 11:30:12 PM
Mullet, you are so clever.  I need you to come teach me how to do those graphics---I haven't a clue!

You'll have a double, double, triple WHAT??

Abby is here, and I let her open one of her gifts early.  It is paper dolls, and we have been cutting out paper doll clothes.  She likes them.  There are also some for her to color.  It seems paper dolls are back "in" now.

I will have to show you these graphics it is farely easy.

It is off of a rap song by KJ-52(five two) he is a christian rapper. It is a sandwich he is pretending to be a costomer at mc'donalds, he is very funny guy. That is why I want to stick songs on here so you all can listen to my music.

I've never in my life have heard of paper dolls what are they  

OK that sounds good.
I'll be sure to clean it up.

good night Janet

oops!!!

Janet can you get me a dictionary please!!!

Sorry about that I'm just glad good ol' mom is here to help me out!!

Goodnight all  

Mullet., you are so clever.  where in the USA do you live? is your real name Neil?

BTW - what is a MULLET??

= Judy

Judy~I like you quote!  hehehehe...I am brushing!  

Mullet=Zachery

Early morning swimming again.  

Ok, so whatch you all doing for Christmas?  We will be staying here.

I see Zachery has been in here having fun with his graphics.  Good job, Zachery!  

Pat~I love you!  ((((hug))))

Janet~Have fun with Abby today!  I remember paper dolls.  They were so much fun.
You couldn't wait till Christmas, eh?  Some times I think the parents are more excited then the kids.  

Liz~It is good to see you posting.  I have missed you.  I love the poem.  Very cute!  Zachery got a kick out of it.  

My egenda for the day:

1)  Get Christmas cards sent out.

2)  Get a blanket made for niece.

3)  Maybe take some pictures.

Hope you all have a good day.
I will be back often.
Soni

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Morning ya'll
I'm up this early so i can go to work! i have to watch the 3 kids today while tiff goes christmas shopping she said she hasn't got any of it done hopefully it isn't that bad outside. it's supposed to snow! i just hope it's not an extremley long day. so i won't be on here all day
ttyl
Sarah

I have a baby in the house.  Daniel is sooooo cute.  

My arm still hurts.  I am going to my Urologist today.  Trying to call my General Practioner to see if I can get some help for this arm.


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"Man is born broken, he lives by mending.  The grace of God is the glue."

Etta Sue, please know that you are in my prayers.  I am so sorry to hear about your arm.  
(((hug)))

A baby in the house.  That is always precious!  Give him a little kiss for me.  

Good morning, friends,

I was in the bed yesterday with chills and sniffly nose, but feel better today. My son recommended zinc and echinacea, and apparently they're helping.

If I can't come back until after Christmas, please know I love you all and wish each person who comes this way a blessed Christmas full of joys and love.

Ruth ann

Good afternoon monday 4.00PM

Pat thank you for the devotional yesterday

Sonja Thank you for the drummer boy i love that song

ETTA SUE what a nice picture you have put on CP you are awesome.

I have been to the doctor and i have it is difficult to say
in English but i try hope you can understand it. I have an retinitus and i have cataract on my eyes in the beginning.
I must in 2004 to the hospital opthalmology.
Maybe i must have on operation on the cataract when i go see bad but not on this moment.

When i was by the doctor and he say to me me have a merry christmass then i say i wish that it was over and that is everyown saying in Holland

Bye love Ria

Just a bit of snow on the ground and sunshine today.

Soni:  I hope you are not meaning to crochet or knit that blanket for your niece - one day would be a world's record.  I take absolutely several years to crochet a baby blanket  

I am praying often that nothing will happen in this latest terrorist warning - wish we could catch some of these people here in the USA.

Good Morning Pat Scott - whatever you are up to - you must be really busy.  Carol

Ria whats the matter with our Dutch cousins....so they don't  like Christmas....Oh dear!
I am trying to look forward to Christmas day also.  I will enjoy Midnight Mass, on Television this year but there has been so much sadness in our little close and then with my daughter being very poorly, its hard to be in the festive mood.

God Bless all of you,
Love Jenny.

Good Morning:

Jenny please know that I am praying for your Helen and your neighbors, of course you also.

Well on Saturday Fay reminded me that i only have untilthe 31st to get the car windows fixed. So I spoke to the Brother at church yesterday to see if  the window regulator had come in yet. He didn't know so he is going to call first thing this morning to the place who was supposed to order the part for him.


This woman just will not hear what I am telling her, that she has really put me in a financial bind by insisting on her way in her time in this matter. So frustrating when someone has selective hearing. But I am not going to worry about it anymore I will just leave it in the hands of the Lord.

My plans for the day, If the part for the car window has come in, get the window fixed and not go to work. She said she would give me the day off to get the car fixed. I have 2 more gifts to wrap and that's it. All done, ready for christmas. Yesterday I bought the veggies for my contribution to Chirstmas dinner.  There is one person who is a strict vegetarian.  I was asked to prepare a the dish of  one of my specialties.

Well time to do some  other things.  

TTYL

A mullet is a haircut not a fish!!

Good morning all


Merry Christmas

Quote from: Carol on December 22, 2003, 10:21:46 AM

Soni:  I hope you are not meaning to crochet or knit that blanket for your niece - one day would be a world's record.  I take absolutely several years to crochet a baby blanket  :-

Hahahaha...it is a fleece material that I cut slits about 3 inches long and 1 inch wide around all the edges and then tie two of them together to make a really warm and cuddly blanket.  All my kids have one.  They love them.

They are really fun and easy to make.

I have one that I made myself it is blue on one side and has coca-cola bears on the other!!

  <-------Zachery jumping with glee
Listen up folks!  Zachery is now a Junior member!  Let's have a little party.

Hi Jane how are you today?
I am doing good, it is fun posting on here because it is fun to see all the graphics and stuff!