Eric Bauer, now a father of triplets, was born in Puerto Rico.
John 3:16 - "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."
When I was a child, after the Christmas tree was up, I watched my mother carefully unwrap the Nativity scene and place Mary, Joseph, the shepherds and animals in their appropriate places. The baby Jesus and the three Kings were nowhere to be found. On Christmas Day, our presents were not under the Christmas tree but next to the hi-fi stereo and manger scene, where now I could see the baby Jesus in the stable between Mary and Joseph. We never had lots of time to play with our new toys because it was time time to go to church and then our grandparents' house.
Just two weeks after Christmas, it was Epiphany or what we called Three Kings Day. I remember the night before, I put grass clippings and water out for the camels. Then my father would take me to the steps in the backyard to look at the stars. My father would point at three stars in the dark sky and tell me that those stars were the three kings coming. He would let me sit outside watching until I fell asleep. The next day, the three kings were placed in the Nativity scene and there were more presents next to the hi-fi stereo. The Nativity scene stayed up for a couple of weeks or until the excitement of Christmas was replaced with chores and school.
Since I was a child, it has been my understanding that Jesus brought ALL gifts to the world. Now it is my testimony that He brought the most precious gift to us, eternal life.
Precious Father - thank you for the gift of your Son, the baby in the manger, who brings us the mot precious gift of all. Amen.
