Twas the Day Before Christmas

I married Robert his third year in the military. He had returned from Vietnam and was assigned to Offutt Air Force Base in Omaha, Nebraska. I was very much in love with Robert, but it was difficult to leave my mother, sister, my home, and my job. I had enough money before we left to purchase a puppy; a beautiful, white, toy poodle. I named him Jacque. He made the 1,000 mile trip to his and my new home. Jacque was like a child to me. He followed me every step that I took. He watched me laugh and he watched me cry. He would even place his head upon me when I was sad. He would follow me no matter what time I got up during the night. He would never leave my side. Jacque would bow with me while I prayed down on my knees. He listened to me while I practiced my sermons. He acted as if he understood every word. Jacque was truly very precious to me.

Robert and I had four children. Jacque patiently watched them as they grew into adults. He eventually developed congestive heart failure. I cooked him a special diet and daily gave him Lasix. The day before Christmas Eve, I became very sick with the flu. Jacque wanted to be near me but we were concerned he might contract the flu from me. We placed his bed down stairs to keep him away. The next morning, Christmas Eve, he was crying for me; so Robert went downstairs to let him out. He ran up the steps trying to get to me and ran down the hallway where I stood. When he got to me, he lay down at my feet, closed his eyes, and didn’t move. I screamed for Robert; and he quickly lifted him up and drove him to the vet near us. …But Jacque had left me to be with Jesus. I could hardly stand the grief. I will never stop missing my little boy, Jacque.

So, what does this have to do with truly one of the most wonderful days of the year? Our heavenly Father gave His only begotten Son, Jesus because He loved the world (Jn. 3:16). Surely, He, Emmanuel (God with us) came that Christmas Day born of a virgin (Mt. 1:23). We celebrate the gift of Jesus this time every year and remember that this baby Jesus came to live and to die for you and for me. Romans 10:13 says, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” God did love the world, but He loved every individual. Salvation is a “whosoever” gospel! God is able to be God to only you; yet, be God to all others who will allow Him to be. His love is devoted to each person who has been, is already, and shall be born. He sees us and is with us. He sent the Comforter, the Holy Spirit to comfort when we are sad. He loves us unconditionally. We are accepted in the beloved (Eph. 1:6). Wow! …Oh, what a Saviour!

Jacque loved me unconditionally. He was devoted to me. He may have only been a little dog, but he gave me so much. Jesus is a personal God, You are on His heart every moment. He is devoted to you. Isaiah 49:16 (Amp.) says, “Behold, I have indelibly imprinted (tattooed a picture of) you on the palm of each of My hands; [O Zion] your walls are continually before Me.” He constantly looks upon each of us. He never forgets. He has a constant and sacred regard for each of us, even in our disasters and trials and even in the good times. He hung upon the cross, and then bowed His head in death with you on His heart. He saw you. He saw me. “Blessed be the name of our great God! ”