The Promise of Christmas

by Vanessa Miller

The kids then gathered around their parents and everyone held hands as each child prayed for family or friends or whoever God laid on their hearts. Tina enjoyed the prayers from the children but it was Theresa’s prayer that shook her to the core.

  Theresa started off her prayer with exhortation to her God, then she prayed blessings over each of her children. She then locked hands with Tony and went boldly to God on her man’s behalf as she said, “Lord I thank You that You saw fit to bring Tony Black into my life. I thank You because he is a good and honorable man. Tony loves You Lord, and he shows me every day how to love You and him all the more.

  “Tony has big dreams, Lord. Some of his dreams are so big that he has held them deep in his heart and hasn’t even shared them with me. But You know them Lord, and I pray that you give my man every desire and dream in his heart as he continues to follow after You. Amen, in Jesus’ Mighty name I pray.”

  Tony then began praying for Theresa, but Tina’s mind was racing in such a way that she couldn’t hear a word he was saying. She just kept thinking about David King and how his wife had built him up to the point that he had reached his God given potential and become a preacher. But when she imagined herself married to David, everything went wrong.

  Tina doubted that she had ever went to God on David’s behalf or that she ever spoke a word to build him up. It seemed to Tina that she had spent years tearing David down while at the same time wondering why he couldn’t stand up and be the man she wanted him to be.

  When they finished praying, Tony picked up the Bible and asked, “Whose ready for the story of Jesus?”

  The kids started jumping around the room. “We are! Yeah! We are!”

  “They’re this excited about reading the bible?” Tina questioned.

  Theresa shook her head. “We used to read this story the morning of Christmas, so the kids would have to wait to open their gifts. A few years back they promised Tony that they would jump for joy about hearing about the birth Jesus, as long as he read it on Christmas Eve, rather than Christmas morning.”

  “Smart kids.” Tina hi-fived Brielle and Mikey.

  “Let’s get started,” Tony said. “Last year I read passages out of the book of Matthew about the three wise men visiting Jesus after his birth to bring Him gifts. This year we’re going to start in Chapter two of the book of Luke…

  And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.

  Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.

  Tina’s ears perked up when she heard the name David. She’d read this story when she was a kid with her parents, but never paid attention to notice that David was right there in the midst of the story as if the Lord had been trying to get a message through her thick skull since she was a child.

  Tony kept reading… So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

  Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

  There was that name again. Tina shook her head, trying to clear it of all David’s… cities and people. Why was God torturing her, by constantly having her think of David, when there was no way she would ever be able to have him in her life. She simply wasn’t good enough for him.

  And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

  So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.

  Tony closed the bible, looked around the room. “Does anyone have any questions?”

  Tony Junior was the first to jump up and raise his hand.

  “What’s your question, son?”

  “Can we go to bed now so we can get up extra early and open the presents Auntie Tina brought us?”

  Theresa laughed. “You’ve had your mind on those presents from the moment Tina walked in the door. Boy, you better turn your little self around and sit down. We are going to watch a Christmas movie before we go to bed.”

  It was wonderful being around the Black family. But Tina’s aching heart could only take so much. She was fully convinced that her life was a wreck and that she had made a huge mistake when she decided that having a career was more important than kids and a good husband to come home to. By the time Tina laid down to go to sleep, she felt like weeping, because she finally realized just how lost she was. She needed God in her life again, but the saddest part about that was she didn’t know how to get back to the place she’d once been.

  7

  Christmas morning brought excitement in the Black household. Theresa was up early fixing pancakes and sausages and the children were gathered around the tree with Tony as he handed out the gifts. Tina came down in her PJs and made herself a hot cup of green tea with slices of lemon. She sat down at the island and hung out with Theresa as one kid after the next ran into the kitchen thanking her for the gift they had received.

  “You all don’t have to thank me. I loved every minute of shopping for those gifts,” Tina told them.

  But even so, as Tony and Theresa opened their gifts, they beamed with joy and thanked her as well. Tina was struck by that. Because Theresa and Tony had so much, and the gift she purchased was very small in comparison, yet they were thankful.

  “Girl, you know I love a good journal, especially since I go through about ten of these each year,” Theresa said while glances through some of the pages in the journal.

  “So, you’re the one keeping them in business,” Tina joked

  “And proud of it,” Theresa threw back as she hugged her journal to her chest. Then said, “Wait a minute.” She ran upstairs and came back down with a gift that had already been wrapped. “I didn’t mail your gift early like I normally do. So, it was still here.”

  “You didn’t have to get me anything,” Tina said while stretching out her hand to receive the gift.

  “I hope this means even more to you than the journal you gave me,” Theresa told her.

  Tina was almost scared to open the gift. Theresa and her family were so grateful for even small things, but Tina hadn’t been that way in such a long time. Her life had been about having more and more. And when that wasn’t enough, she searched for even more. The next accolade, the next trophy, the next object.

  She slowly unwrapped the gift, praying that her reaction wasn’t a disappointment to her friend. As she pulled back the wrapping, Tina was staring at a box that said, ‘Holy Bible’. She opened the box and discovered that her name was engraved on the front of the bible. Tina let her fingers glide ov
er the engraving. Tears were in her eyes as she glanced over at Theresa. “I love it.”

  Theresa sat down next to her friend. “I purchased that bible for you three years ago. I kept praying and asking the Lord when He wanted me to give it to you. I never received an answer until a few days ago when I had a strong desire to finally wrap it.”

  “You’ve been praying to God about me?”

  Theresa nodded. “Not just me. Trinity and Tara and I make it a point to call each other once a month and pray for you.”

  Wiping her eyes, Tina told her, “I don’t know what to do with that knowledge.”

  “Don’t do anything with it. Let’s just eat breakfast and then get dressed for church.”

  Tina hadn’t been to church in a long, long time. The only church she ever wanted to attend was the one she had grown up in. But the pastor of that church passed away about ten years ago. Her parents still attended church there, but Tina hadn’t set foot in that building since her pastor’s funeral. She wanted to just say no and go upstairs, pack her bags and hop on a plane. But something inside kept reminding her that she needed God… needed Him like she needed to breathe. “Can I borrow one of your dresses?”

  Theresa beamed. “You sure can.”

  ~~~~

  When they arrived at church, Tina recognized the name immediately from the Facebook posts that she’d read. “Why are we at David King’s church?”

  “He and Tony have been working on a mentorship program together. Tony said that Pastor King has been going through with the loss of his wife, so we wanted to support his ministry this morning.”

  “That was nice of you. And I do think that David needs some extra encouragement right now.” Tina nodded, as if convincing herself. “Yeah, let’s go on in.”

  Tina didn't understand why David was on the brain so much this week, but she was tired of tripping about it. She was going into service and was just going to enjoy herself like she used to way back when the love of God truly mattered to her.

  They took a seat at the front of the church, which was their first mistake. Because as praise and worship got started, the team recognized Tina and Theresa and asked them to join them. Tina shook her head.

  But Theresa turned to her and said, “Come on. It will be fun, just like at your Christmas Special.”

  Tina leaned close enough so that only Theresa could hear her admit the truth. “My manager made sure the music was played loud enough to drown out the fact that my voice is cracking.”

  Theresa put a hand on Tina’s arm. “I know Tina. We’ve been praying for you about that too.”

  After how she left the Four T’s high and dry for her solo career, these girls still had her back. They showed up whenever she needed them and they had been praying not just for her soul, but also for her vocal cords. “I really appreciate that, Theresa.”

  “We’re at church now, Tina. They’re not going to judge you. They just want us to sing.”

  “Okay, let’s do it.” Theresa and Tina were both handed microphones as the minister of music began playing music to O Holy Night, and they opened their mouths and gave praise to God…

  O Holy night, the stars are brightly shining

  It is the night of our dear Savior's birth

  Long lay the world in sin and error pining

  Til He appeared and the soul felt it's worth

  A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices

  For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn

  Fall on your knees

  O hear the angel voices

  O night divine!

  O night when Christ was born

  O night divine!

  By the second ‘O night divine’ Tina wanted to fall on her knees and beg the Lord to take her back. She wanted desperately to be in this place, not just today, but every day that God allowed her to serve Him going forward. Her dear Savior had not only been born but had died so that she could walk in the newness of life. Help me, Lord, she silently prayed as they continued to sing. Her voice rose as she declared…

  O night, o night divine!

  And in His Name, all oppression shall cease

  Yes, let her oppression cease, Tina thought as she lifted her hands and praised the Lord. The congregation stood and gave praise to the Lord as well. She hadn’t concerned herself not once as they began the song with any voice issues she might be dealing with. She wasn’t singing to impress anyone, she was singing to give praise to the Lord and that felt better than any Grammy she had ever received.

  She and Theresa took their seats, but Tina was still very emotional as David stood behind the podium and thanked them for coming to church and for temporarily joining the praise team.

  David then opened his bible to John 1 and began reading…

  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. he was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made. In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind… The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

  David closed the bible and then began preaching to everyone in attendance about what those words meant to him. He told them about how he came to know the Lord. Tina was shocked that he would admit that he only came to church because he had been chasing her… and how he had prayed that God would make her his wife.

  He then acknowledged, “But neither one of us was ready for what God had in store. So, Tina went on to become a major R & B recording artist and I gave my life to the Lord and allowed Him to straighten me out…

  Because you see, just as those scriptures said, ‘the word became flesh and made His dwelling among us’. After giving my Life to the Lord, I believed every word I read between these covers.” He lifted the bible and thumbed through the pages. I believed that God was not only the beginning but He should also be the ending. The woman I eventually married was helped to make me the man I am today.”

  Tina nodded at that. Because she knew for a fact that David had married the right woman. Because he was now firmly planted where God wanted Him to be.

  “I never expected my wife to die so soon. But I am still firmly planted in the Lord, because I know she made her ending in God. So, rejoice if you know the Lord. But my friends, if you don’t know God or if you’ve been gone away from Him way too long, then I tell you that God stands with His arms stretched out waiting to receive you… won’t you come… let Him love on you.”

  Tina watched as a few people stood and began walking down the aisle, hands raised, surrendering all to Jesus.

  Her feet shuffled, wanting desperately to get up. But Tina was scared. Would she really be able to serve God? Could she give up R & B like Trinity, Tara and Theresa had? Or would she continue turning back like a dog to his vomit?

  David came down from the pulpit and stood in front of Tina. He held out a hand to her. She took it and stood. He then wiped the tears that ran down her face. “You don’t have to cry anymore, Tina. The Lord has heard you and He says, ‘Come home’.”

  Something broke inside of her. She wrapped her arms around David and cried out to the Lord. “Forgive me, Lord. I do want to come back to You. Please forgive me.”

  “It’s already done,” David told her and the two of them locked hands and prayed together.

  Tina listened as David spoke nothing but goodness over her even as he prayed for her soul. She received every word. Then when he was finished, Tina didn’t let his hands go. She opened her mouth and prayed many blessings over him. She wanted nothing but God’s best for David.

  “Well,” he said, “That was a first. I’ve never had an altar call where the person I prayed for then began praying for me.”

  “You need someone praying for you too, David. God has so much for you and I want you to get everything that’s for you. I wish all the best for your children as well.”

  David hugged Tina and then walked away so that he could minister to others at t
he altar. Tina sat back down and tried to collect her thoughts. She couldn’t believe that she had been bold enough to pray for David like that, but she was glad that she did it. It kind of made her feel as if she made up for all the horrors she had sent him through during the marriage she dreamed up.

  “Are you okay,” Theresa asked her.

  “Better than I’ve been in a long time.” Tina hugged Theresa. “Thank you so much for being such a good friend to me.”

  “I’m just glad that you finally gave your life to the Lord.”

  “You and me both,” Tina said as she and Theresa walked out of the church arm in arm.

  ~~~~

  On New Year’s Eve Tina was at home reading her bible when her doorbell rang. She wasn’t expecting company, so as she walked to the door she prayed it wasn’t her manager still trying to convince her to do another tour. She hadn’t figured out her next move, but she knew that she was done with R & B and the lifestyle that went along with it. Peeking out the peep hole, she smiled and flung open the door. “What are y’all doing here?”

  It was Theresa, Trinity and Tara.

  “You didn’t think we were going to let you bring in the New Years without a party did you?” Tara said.

  Tina laughed at Tara. “If you’d have said that a few years ago, I would have been afraid of the type of party you might throw.”

  “Yeah, I’m still mad about missing Christmas eve with my kids that year we had to bust up one of Tara’s parties,” Theresa said.

  “I’m just thankful that we are all here and able to celebrate together.” Trinity said, then added, “But we have more of a private party in mind for you. More like a date.”

  “A date?” Tina’s eyebrows furrowed. “With who?”

  That’s when David came up her walk way. The girls went into the house and sat down. He grabbed her hand. “Tina Jones, many years ago I asked you out on a date and you told me that you couldn’t date me because I wasn’t saved.”

  She was embarrassed about that, especially since she had backslid so hard that she should have broken her neck by now.