Page 11 - Luke AFB Thunderbolt – December 2025

Chaplain (Maj.) Portmann “PJ” Werner
Religious Affairs, 56 FW
Misha’s Christmas gift
I want to share a story we read as part of my family’s holiday tradition. I love this story which touches at the heart of a great truth.
In 1994 two American teachers were invited by the Russian Department of Education to come and teach morals and ethics based on Christian principles. They were invited to teach in schools, prisons and businesses, as well as a large orphanage where more than 100 abused and abandoned children were left in the care of a barely funded gov- ernment program. The teachers related their experience in a widely shared email, quoted below.
“It was nearing the holiday season, so we told them the traditional Christ- mas story and the children were hear- ing it for the very first time. We told them about Mary and Joseph arriving in Bethlehem and finding no room in the inn, and how they went to a stable where the baby Jesus was born and placed in a manger. The children and staff sat in amazement as they listened to the story. Some sat on the edges of
their stools, trying to grasp every word. “When we finished the story, we gave the children three small pieces of card- board to make a crude manger. Each was then given a small paper square, cut from yellow napkins, which they carefully tore into strips and laid in the manger for straw. Small squares of flannel, cut from an old nightgown, were used for the baby’s blanket. And finally, we gave each of them a little doll-like baby cut from tan felt that we
had brought from home.”
“The orphans were busy assembling
their manger as I walked among them to see if they needed my help. All went well until I got to one table where little Misha sat. He looked to be about 6-years old and had finished his project. As I looked at what the little boy had made, I was startled to see not one, but two babies in the manger. Quickly I called for a translator to ask the boy why there were two babies instead of one.”
“Crossing his arms and looking very serious, little Misha began to repeat the Christmas story, word for word, just as he had heard it, until he came to the part where Mary placed the baby Jesus in the manger. Then Misha suddenly seemed to ad lib. He said, ‘When Maria laid the baby in the manger, Jesus looked at me and asked if I had a place to stay.
‘I told Him I had no mamma or poppa, so I don’t have any place to stay. Then Jesus told me I could stay with Him. But I told Him I couldn’t stay because I didn’t have a gift to give Him like every- one else did. But I wanted to stay with Jesus so much, I thought about what I had that I could give Him as a gift.
‘I thought, “Maybe if I keep Him warm that would be a good gift,” so I asked Jesus, “If I keep you warm will that be a good enough gift?” And Jesus told me, “If you keep me warm that will be the best gift anybody ever gave me.” so I got in the manger with Him. Then Jesus looked at me and told me I could stay with Him, for always.’”
“As little Misha finished his story, his eyes filled with tears, and he put his hands over his face. He had finally found someone who would never aban- don or abuse him. He had finally found someone who would stay with him, for always.”
Whatever your faith or method of cel- ebrating the season, I believe the story of Misha reminds us that we all desire to feel loved, accepted, and able to give at least a little bit to others. For you reading this, know that you are loved, appreciated, and seen.
As we enter this time of Christmas hustle and bustle, it is important to re-
Courtesy photo
Chaplain (Maj.) Portmann “PJ” Werner
member to look for those feeling left out and make sure they have a home for the holidays. One of the best ways to make sure you have those Christmas feelings is to extend them to others. Make sure the same is true of your wingmen who are away from home and feel like Misha, make sure that they know and feel that they have a place here.
Chaplain’s Thoughts
Thunderbolt News December 5, 2025 http://www.luke.af.mil Facebook.com/LukeThunderbolt
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