It’s 6:00 on Christmas morning. A magical hour, with the Christmas tree ablaze and no sound except the furnace blowing, and the muted “tap, tap” of my laptop keyboard.

I can’t sleep, even though I only went to bed a few hours ago. The music from our Christmas Eve services at church last night are running through my head on a continuous loop; “Come let us adore Him!”

As I look around the tree at all of the presents I’m amazed again at how blessed my family is. Not because of the stuff, but because of the love and thought behind it. I’m thankful for the grace and caring that keeps this home intact and covered with love. I’m truly thankful for God for this moment.

My thoughts this morning have also turned to what other kids are waking up to this morning on Christmas here in Erie.

For you see, my brother Jeff, who has counseled thousands of Erie children, says that our family won life’s lottery. My seven sibs and I grew up in a home with two parents who loved each other, and stayed committed for life. They didn’t have much money, but they poured their lives into bringing up their children with a sense of morality, decency, and responsibility that reflected the character that Christ would have us carry. They weren’t perfect, and we aren’t either…but we were given every chance for a successful launch. I’m doing my best to provide the same nurturing context for my children. I know that at times my wife and I can do better, but our kids are doing well and we have a wonderful life together.

But what about the other kids…whose lottery ticket came up short. On this Christmas morning, I can’t help but think about Clara Ward and the kids she cares for through her Youth Development Center on East 21st Street. She gets presents together for over 300 kids each Christmas. Her whole ministry is for the “abused and neglected” children in our community.

What are those kids, living within 5000 feet of my doorstep waking up to? What kind of brokenness did their mom and dad live under when they were coming up? What kind of hold does addiction, or illness, or hopelessness have on these families?

It would be easy for me to wallow in despair over the plight of these kids, along with the kids waking up in rich homes full of material possessions but bankrupt in commitment to each other.  But I am encouraged on two counts:

I have hope because of the hope of Christmas. That precious baby Jesus born in  a manger truly is the answer for our lives. The famous verse in the Bible that “God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son” illustrates the extreme measures God has accomplished to pour His love and grace into my life. And because His love is unconditional and for everyone, we have all won life’s lottery in the person and Savior of Jesus Christ. God loves my kids and Clara’s kids so much more than any of us can imagine, and we can pray His blessing would pour out on them in spirit and in truth, and He can enter their homes and change their family trees.

Second, I need to do what I can do, which is pray for my family and the families of the children in our community. And I can do better at this father, husband, follower of Christ thing. I can be more attentive, faithful, kinder, less sharp-tongued, loving, generous, open…I could go on.

Let’s recommit to the values of Christ in our lives and in those we touch. Merry Christmas!