I’ll be home for Christmas,
If only in my dreams.”
–Kim Gannon and Walter Kent
“I searched for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand in the gap before Me for the land, so that I would not destroy it; but I found no one.”
–Ezekiel 22:30 (NASB)
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I thought about not writing an Echo this week, but I would be remiss if I forgot those men and women who serve faithfully. Those who are deployed and away from their families at Christmas. I was fortunate that in the six years I served in the Air Force that I was stateside, never away from family. I knew of those in Vietnam, Korea, Turkey, and other places in the world that would be missing something special. Something that we often take for granted until it is gone–being with family at Christmas.
My Dad was away from home for two Christmases during World War II. I know he spent the Christmas of 1945 in Japan during the Occupation. The year 1944 saw him in the Philippines.
They look at the same sky–those who are deployed. Pappy, Annie’s Dad, was in Europe for Christmas 1944. What were their thoughts and feelings?
Think about it, there are those who are standing in the gap. Those who have sacrificed time with family during the Christmas season to protect our freedom to celebrate Christmas. There are many who would take it away, and we are beginning to see a host of them at home trying to do the same.
But if you know someone who is deployed or will not be able to be home for Christmas go outside and look up. Those who are deployed will look at the same sky. Oh, if they are south of the equator there will be some differences, but it will still be similar. Come to think of it, when the Baby came from heaven and the angels appeared in the sky it was very similar to what it is today. Now we have a few more objects made my man floating around in space, but overall the stars are the same, the moon hasn’t changed much. The planets are moving in the same orbit. Isn’t God a wonder?
Most likely this is the last Echo for the week. Miles may show up tomorrow. Next week, I’m not sure; I’ll just take it one day at a time. Here’s to you and your family–have a very MERRY CHRISTMAS! Be thankful for those who stand in the gap for you: our military, law enforcement officers and other first responders.