Each year, around the first of November (All Saints Day), our church family takes time to remember those within our midst who have passed on during the previous year. For whatever reasons, we had a larger than normal number of deaths this past year.
Add to that the fact that I have now been pastoring this same church family for almost thirteen years, and have therefore had time to grow close to a great many people. Perhaps all of this helps to explain why I have had so many of these dear precious saints and their families on my mind during these last few days.
In light of this, I wanted to share a poem on my blog today - one that I first encountered a couple of years ago. It has been circulating in various forms on the internet for quite some time now. I did my best to track down the original version, which I have posted below.
First, some background. It was first written (apparently late in 1997 or early in 1998) by Ms. Wanda Bencke, and is about her thirteen year old handicapped daughter: Lysandra Kay Bencke. On Christmas Day, 1997, we are told, after suffering for years with Cerebral Palsy, little Lysandra had a seizure which lasted for three hours. She then slipped into a coma. Five days later, she died.
It was during those five days that her mother, Wanda, appears to have written a very beautiful poem from the perspective of her daughter, who was soon to be experiencing Christmas from a whole new perspective: that of Heaven. I hope it speaks to you as much as it did me. More importantly, I hope it speaks to all who have lost loved ones and are facing Christmas without them this year - some for the very first time, and others yet again.
"Christmas in Heaven"
I see the countless Christmas trees, around the world below,
With tiny lights like heaven's stars, reflecting on the snow.
The sight is so spectacular, please wipe away that tear;
For I am spending Christmas, with Jesus Christ this year.
I hear the many Christmas songs, that people hold so dear;
But the sounds of music can't compare, with the Christmas choir up here.
I have no words to tell you, of the joy their voices bring;
For it is beyond description, to hear the angels sing.
I know how much you miss me; I see the pain inside your heart;
For I am spending Christmas, with Jesus Christ this year.
I can't tell you of the splendor, or the peace here in this place;
Can you just imagine Christmas, with our Savior face to face?
I'll ask Him to lift your spirit, as I tell Him of your love;
So, then pray for one another, as you lift your eyes above.
Please let your hearts be joyful, and let your spirit sing;
For I am spending Christmas in heaven and I'm walking with the King.*
*SOURCES: http://rileyhitt.com/christmasinheaven/. See also: http://www.c
omfort-for-bereavement.com/Christmas.html; as well as http://christmas.lov
etoknow.com/Christmas_in_Heaven.
NOTE: Down through the years, both the poem and the story behind it have been changed, going through multiple iterations on the internet. It is sometimes referred to as “My First Christmas in Heaven”. Most often, it is presented relative to a boy named Ben who was supposed to have written the story before he died and then left it for his mother to find on Christmas Day.
In reality, Ms. Bencke first appears to have presented the poem anonymously to her family in Christmas cards after the death of her daughter. Later on, she felt led (and rightfully so) to speak up and claim authorship while disavowing all of the folklore which had come to be attached to her original work.
I searched for Ms. Bencke’s website, but was unsuccessful, as it appears to have now been discontinued. Moreover, it seems that she herself has passed on as well. If so, then I am happy to know that she and her daughter have at last been reunited, and that they will dwell together forever in a place where neither sickness nor sorrow will ever abide.
Ms. Bencke's memorial can be found at: http://www.legacy.com
/obterituaries/leaderpost/obituary.aspx?pid=155162687. Little Lysandra’s memorial information is available here: http://www.fi
ndagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=32157825.
Add to that the fact that I have now been pastoring this same church family for almost thirteen years, and have therefore had time to grow close to a great many people. Perhaps all of this helps to explain why I have had so many of these dear precious saints and their families on my mind during these last few days.
In light of this, I wanted to share a poem on my blog today - one that I first encountered a couple of years ago. It has been circulating in various forms on the internet for quite some time now. I did my best to track down the original version, which I have posted below.
First, some background. It was first written (apparently late in 1997 or early in 1998) by Ms. Wanda Bencke, and is about her thirteen year old handicapped daughter: Lysandra Kay Bencke. On Christmas Day, 1997, we are told, after suffering for years with Cerebral Palsy, little Lysandra had a seizure which lasted for three hours. She then slipped into a coma. Five days later, she died.
It was during those five days that her mother, Wanda, appears to have written a very beautiful poem from the perspective of her daughter, who was soon to be experiencing Christmas from a whole new perspective: that of Heaven. I hope it speaks to you as much as it did me. More importantly, I hope it speaks to all who have lost loved ones and are facing Christmas without them this year - some for the very first time, and others yet again.
"Christmas in Heaven"
I see the countless Christmas trees, around the world below,
With tiny lights like heaven's stars, reflecting on the snow.
The sight is so spectacular, please wipe away that tear;
For I am spending Christmas, with Jesus Christ this year.
I hear the many Christmas songs, that people hold so dear;
But the sounds of music can't compare, with the Christmas choir up here.
I have no words to tell you, of the joy their voices bring;
For it is beyond description, to hear the angels sing.
I know how much you miss me; I see the pain inside your heart;
For I am spending Christmas, with Jesus Christ this year.
I can't tell you of the splendor, or the peace here in this place;
Can you just imagine Christmas, with our Savior face to face?
I'll ask Him to lift your spirit, as I tell Him of your love;
So, then pray for one another, as you lift your eyes above.
Please let your hearts be joyful, and let your spirit sing;
For I am spending Christmas in heaven and I'm walking with the King.*
*SOURCES: http://rileyhitt.com/christmasinheaven/. See also: http://www.c
omfort-for-bereavement.com/Christmas.html; as well as http://christmas.lov
etoknow.com/Christmas_in_Heaven.
NOTE: Down through the years, both the poem and the story behind it have been changed, going through multiple iterations on the internet. It is sometimes referred to as “My First Christmas in Heaven”. Most often, it is presented relative to a boy named Ben who was supposed to have written the story before he died and then left it for his mother to find on Christmas Day.
In reality, Ms. Bencke first appears to have presented the poem anonymously to her family in Christmas cards after the death of her daughter. Later on, she felt led (and rightfully so) to speak up and claim authorship while disavowing all of the folklore which had come to be attached to her original work.
I searched for Ms. Bencke’s website, but was unsuccessful, as it appears to have now been discontinued. Moreover, it seems that she herself has passed on as well. If so, then I am happy to know that she and her daughter have at last been reunited, and that they will dwell together forever in a place where neither sickness nor sorrow will ever abide.
Ms. Bencke's memorial can be found at: http://www.legacy.com
/obterituaries/leaderpost/obituary.aspx?pid=155162687. Little Lysandra’s memorial information is available here: http://www.fi
ndagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=32157825.