A poor widow lived near a hillock. She had two children, Raj, aged 8 and Rani aged 5. On top of the hillock was a Church. Every year, Christmas was celebrated very grandly in the Church. People from the surrounding area flocked to the Church for the Christmas service for a special reason. The reason was the visit of angels to declare the best offering for Christ. All the people would bring the best of their offerings during Christmas and leave it on the offering plate. When the best gift was laid on the plate, angels would ring the Church bell in a melodious tune thrilling the congregation.
Christmas was fast approaching and Raj and Rani were eagerly waiting to attend the special Service and to hear the bells ring. Unfortunately their mother fell ill. She could not go to work for a full week or prepare anything special for Christmas. She could not even go for the Christmas Service. However she got the children ready, gave each of them two buns to eat on the way, one rupee each for offering and sent them to Church. Since it was winter they put on their sweaters and started to walk towards the hillock.
At the foot of the hill they saw an old man huddled in cold. When he saw the children he stretched forth his arms for alms. The children each gave him a bun which he started devouring hungrily. Seeing his voracious appetite they gave the other two buns too. He begged them for a sweater. Ron gave his with which he covered himself and continued to shiver. “O poor man, he is still shivering,” said Rani and removed her sweater and gave him. At that the poor man’s shivering stopped. He smiled, stretched forth his hands, blessed them and bid them Godspeed. The children ran up the hill since they were delayed and reached the Church huffing and puffing.
It was offering time and people were queueing up. Everyone was anxious to know who would be greatest that year. A very rich man walked in his safari suit and placed a car key on the plate. Eyes were turned to the bell. But there was no movement or sound. Another lady placed a diamond necklace on the plate and looked around. People were disappointed as the bell didn’t go off this time also.
The enthusiasm was dying down since all others were common folk. Now it was the children’s turn and they placed their one rupee coin on the plate. Suddenly heavenly music filled the Church and wafted across the town. The bells rang beautifully and divinely. After the service the Pastor hugged the children and asked them how it happened. The children explained to him all. People met the children and learned their story. They understood how caring for others sacrificially is more important than giving their money for religious purposes.
The Pastor and elders visited the home of Raj and Rani and saw their condition. They took their mother to the hospital for treatment. People brought plenty of food, eatables, dresses and toys for the children. It was the best Christmas they ever had!
Dr. Lilian Stanley
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91 9843511943
lilianstanley@gmail.com
Blessing Youth Mission
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91-416-2242943, +91-416-2248943
hq@bymonline.org
www.bymonline.org
Click here for more options
To buy books written by Dr. Lilian Stanley, kindly reach to us in the follwing address
Blessing Literature Centre
21/11 West Coovam River Road,
Chintadripet,
Chennai 600 002, India.
+91-44-28450411, 8806270699
blc@bymonline.org
A poor widow lived near a hillock. She had two children, Raj, aged 8 and Rani aged 5. On top of the hillock was a Church. Every year, Christmas was celebrated very grandly in the Church. People from the surrounding area flocked to the Church for the Christmas service for a special reason. The reason was the visit of angels to declare the best offering for Christ. All the people would bring the best of their offerings during Christmas and leave it on the offering plate. When the best gift was laid on the plate, angels would ring the Church bell in a melodious tune thrilling the congregation.
Christmas was fast approaching and Raj and Rani were eagerly waiting to attend the special Service and to hear the bells ring. Unfortunately their mother fell ill. She could not go to work for a full week or prepare anything special for Christmas. She could not even go for the Christmas Service. However she got the children ready, gave each of them two buns to eat on the way, one rupee each for offering and sent them to Church. Since it was winter they put on their sweaters and started to walk towards the hillock.
At the foot of the hill they saw an old man huddled in cold. When he saw the children he stretched forth his arms for alms. The children each gave him a bun which he started devouring hungrily. Seeing his voracious appetite they gave the other two buns too. He begged them for a sweater. Ron gave his with which he covered himself and continued to shiver. “O poor man, he is still shivering,” said Rani and removed her sweater and gave him. At that the poor man’s shivering stopped. He smiled, stretched forth his hands, blessed them and bid them Godspeed. The children ran up the hill since they were delayed and reached the Church huffing and puffing.
It was offering time and people were queueing up. Everyone was anxious to know who would be greatest that year. A very rich man walked in his safari suit and placed a car key on the plate. Eyes were turned to the bell. But there was no movement or sound. Another lady placed a diamond necklace on the plate and looked around. People were disappointed as the bell didn’t go off this time also.
The enthusiasm was dying down since all others were common folk. Now it was the children’s turn and they placed their one rupee coin on the plate. Suddenly heavenly music filled the Church and wafted across the town. The bells rang beautifully and divinely. After the service the Pastor hugged the children and asked them how it happened. The children explained to him all. People met the children and learned their story. They understood how caring for others sacrificially is more important than giving their money for religious purposes.
The Pastor and elders visited the home of Raj and Rani and saw their condition. They took their mother to the hospital for treatment. People brought plenty of food, eatables, dresses and toys for the children. It was the best Christmas they ever had!
Dr. Lilian Stanley
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91 9843511943
lilianstanley@gmail.com
Blessing Youth Mission
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91-416-2242943, +91-416-2248943
hq@bymonline.org
www.bymonline.org
Click here for more options
To buy books written by Dr. Lilian Stanley, kindly reach to us in the follwing address
Blessing Literature Centre
21/11 West Coovam River Road,
Chintadripet,
Chennai 600 002, India.
+91-44-28450411, Mob:8806270699
blc@bymonline.org
