He Makes all things Beautiful in its Time

Everybody was wearing a smile, hugging and greeting each other Merry Christmas. I felt the joyous atmosphere in the air as we sang Christmas carols and with the lights of the candles in our hands illuminating the whole sanctuary with a gentle glow. This was a reminder for each one of us that the Light has come and that we are bearing His light.

As I wished my friends a merry Christmas, they went off to be with their families for Christmas Eve. I suddenly realized that I would be spending my Christmas alone. My family is not with me. The friends whom I usually spend Christmas with are all married and will be spending their Christmas with their spouses and families.

But He prepared something special for me that night. I was invited to the Christmas party with the people from a slum area in Pasay. I handled the Christmas program for more than 60 children from that area. There was nothing more fulfilling than to share His precious gift to these poor children, Jesus Christ, His Son. It was really a joy to see each one of them accept Jesus Christ in their hearts that night.
I went home, exhausted but happy. Once again, He used me to usher treasures to His kingdom. This was His gift to me last Christmas 2003.

This year December 2004, my Christmas is different. I celebrated Christmas Eve with new friends here in China. No Candle Light Service. I am in a foreign land where lots of people don't know what Christmas is. Maybe some of them are just celebrating it because like everyone else around the world people are celebrating it. But they really don't understand the reason of the celebration. They may sing Merry Christmas but they don't really know the reason why they have to be merry.

In my heart, I was asking Him to give me a treasure to be ushered into His Kingdom but I haven't really shared the Good News to a lost treasure that night. But He, once again had something special that night. All of us formed a big circle in the middle of our small living room and each one uttered a simple prayer. Everyone was happy, hugging each other as we watched the clock strike 12 midnight.
I slept exhausted and happy. I thanked Him that He has given me a privilege to spend Christmas here in the mission field and for answering my prayer not to spend Christmas Eve alone.

Christmas day, I had an appointment with a doctor and my Chinese co-teacher accompanied me to the hospital. She shared to me that the party last night was a special night for her. Her friendship with a co-teacher had been estranged but that night they forgave each other and reconciled. Little did we know that as we just showed love and warmth to the people around us, people got infected with that love. And oh - RECONCILIATION, that's what we received when Jesus Christ came and died for us.
Later that day, the parents of my student from K1 invited me along with my co-teachers to a strawberry farm. That was my first time to go strawberry picking! We also had a wonderful seafood lunch by the sea. But what is more wonderful was when I was requested to pray for the food. Now it's His time. The parents are not yet Christians and it was an opportune time to share His love. Afterwards we went to the park and flew kites.

As I pondered on the things that happened that day, I can't help but be amazed how He works things in my life. I may not have more than 60 treasures found that Christmas day but I was given a chance to see a relationship restored and to even pray for people who does not know Jesus Christ.
My Christmas Days for the last two years were very different but I can't say that one is better than the other. He always has something special for those who are seeking His special touch not only on Christmas day but everyday of our lives. Everything has its season and He makes all things beautiful in its time.

(Grace Garcia* is an ACM Missionary Graduate who is now serving God in China. She used to be an ACM staff and active member of Church of God Makati)
Note: The names of some missionaries (with *) were changed for security purposes.