As a little bear, named Faith crossed the street on a bitterly
cold morning in Alaska, she froze in fear realizing it was Christmas
Eve, and she had not wrote her list to Santa.
What am I going to do? I have to buy Mommy and Daddy’s gift
with grandma, eat lunch, play with Sara, make Santa’s cookies, and go
to church. Faith was never happy going to church. She would sleep
during church or just think about shopping because no matter what time
of year it was Faith loved to shop for herself.
Faith called home to get her Mommy to change her mind as her list
was so long. Hello Faith, her mommy said. Mommy, do I have
to go to church? I haven’t written my list to Santa!
Her Mommy replied with a sigh. You can if you must. When
Faith’s parents left she thought of everything she wanted: a pony, a
doll, money! She kept thinking clothes, money, or a berry wreath! She didn’t have enough room to write
everything she wanted, so she
wrote:
Dear Santa,
I’ve been the best bear ever. Give me what I NEED.
FAITH
On Christmas morning she went to see what she got from Santa, but all
she saw was an old wooden cross. She threw it on the ground in
disgust.
God started talking to her as she sat silently. He said to her,
“The cross stands for Jesus and me. You need us in your life.
She ran to her old wooden cross and picked it up and hung it in her
room. Now Faith gets happy about church and is God’s own special
teddy bear filled with the love of Jesus!
thedailylily.com 
I, Sara, your friend, love your story Grace. It is just wonderful. I, Sara, received a very special gift from a special little boy, my son, Jonathan one year. It is a wooden cross and it reads:
” I carry a cross in my pocket,
a simple reminder to me
of the fact that I am a Christian
no matter where I may be.
This little cross is not magic
nor is it a good luck charm.
It isn’t meant to protect me
from every physical harm.
It’s not for identification,
for all the world to see.
It’s simply an understanding
between my Savior and me.
When I put my hand in my pocket
to bring out a coin or key,
the Cross is there to remind me
of the price He paid for me.
It reminds me too, to be thankful,
for my blessings day by day,
and to strive to serve Him better
in all that I do and say.
It’s also a daily reminder
of the peace and comfort I share
with all who know my Master
and give themselves to His care.
So, I carry a cross in my pocket,
reminding no one but me,
that Jesus Christ is Lord of my life,
if only I’ll let Him be.”
See, after many years I still carry my wooden cross with me. I think to pray for Jonathan, a very special son to me and children all over the world including all of you.
Thank you Grace, you are a very special person and so giving to share your stories and comments with all of us. Merry Christmas.
PS See my little Oxford Bear, Jonathan gave that to me as well when we visited Oxford.
Thank you! I saw one of those crosses at a little shop last week! They are so cute! My mom has one as well!
With Faith,
Grace
Dear Grace,
What a beautiful story. Focusing on others rather than self is a LOVE song that Jesus sang to us when he died on that wooden cross.
Our overly selfish materialistic wants will not bring happiness. What we really need like you said so well in your story is JESUS. Thank you for saying it in such a clear picture. Now having Jesus, I bet Faith is filled up with the LOVE of Jesus and like HIM is reaching out in love to others. Isn’t it absolutely wonderful how Jesus changes us.
Love, Mrs. O
Thanks! You are so nice! Mrs. O you always are so humble and put Jesus first in your life! You are God’s Grace!
Your Friend,
Grace
Grace what a beautiful story. It made me think about King Solomon who didn’t ask God for lots of ‘things’ but asked instead for wisdom. God was pleased and granted his request and added many ‘things’ to it as well. When Faith bear got the cross she got Wisdom Himself and so much more. 2 Peter 1:3 says that when we receive Christ we are also given ..”all things that pertain to life and godliness…” .What a good giver God is. Thank you for writing and sharing your story.
Thank you, Mrs. Chaves! You are so sweet! I love to hear what you always say! God granted you wisdom!
With Faith,
Grace
Oh ..what a wonderful story Grace…it reminds me of the hymn “The Old Rugged Cross” by George Bennard…It says So Ill cherish the Old Rugged Cross..till my trophies at last I lay down..I will cling to the old rugged cross and exchange them some day for a crown…(That little bear picked up the cross and hung it in her room….she was clinging it to it ….no wonder she was happy about church…she know the real meaning of Christmas…its all about Jesus…great story …really speaks to ones heart….Ms Dorothy
That is my favorite song! I love it! I sing it in church all the time!
With Faith,
Grace