As we approach Christmas, I was looking for an illustration to help set the mood for the birth of Jesus.  I came across this  illustration which reminded me of the real reason for Christmas.

An article in the 1945 National Geographic provided a picture of God’s love for us. After a forest fire in Yellowstone National Park, forest rangers began their trek up a mountain to assess the damage. One ranger found a bird literally petrified in ashes, perched statuesquely on the ground at the base of a tree. Sickened by the sight, he knocked over the bird with a stick. When he struck it, three tiny chicks scurried from under their dead mother’s wings.

The loving mother bird, aware of the impending disaster, had carried her offspring to the base of the tree and had gathered them under her wings, instinctively knowing that the toxic smoke would rise. She could have flown to safety but had refused to abandon her babies.

When the blaze had arrived and the heat scorched her small body, the mother had remained steadfast. She had been willing to die, so those under the cover of her wings would live.

After reading, I researched and discovered this article never appeared in National Geographic Magazine.  This writing was based upon a parable called “The Little Red Hen”, by Mrs. Floyd McCague.

However, this is a great picture of the Love of God for Christmas.  We celebrate Jesus’ birth now, but God knew  there would be a future moment when Jesus would spread his arms and cover us so we might be saved.  In celebrating Christmas this year remember we are already looking forward to Easter.