Prison Lectionary

by Terrance “Lil’ Bear” Plummer

Christmas In A Prison House

A house is not a home. I’ve been in prison now for 21 years, I was put in jail 6 days before Christmas December 19th 1995. Now, that was one of the toughest Christmas’s I had ever known! The pain that takes place within from missing family! It was primal. One can almost hear the silent screams inside at God and life. For the man or woman who never came to know Christ Jesus while in this prison experience, the silent screams never really go away at the Christmas season. It’s never easy doing time during the Holiday Day season while in prison, but when one has had an experience with Jesus, everything changes. Most men I’m doing time with never knew Jesus is the true and real reason why we celebrate. Most can’t see the new life Jesus really bring.

I celebrate Christmas now because of the new life that came into me, because of the new life that came into the world, which reminds me of Isaiah 9:6-7.

Christmas isn’t really about giving. Don’t get me wrong. Giving is an act from the heart of God. He gave His only begotten Son, but we had to be willing to receive what He gave. So in context, it’s more about receiving what God gave before I was ever able to understand the real meaning of my celebratory state of mind. Now I know that no matter where I am in this life, I can celebrate Christmas because I was willing to received the very gift God gave to make me whole. In a prison house behind bars, or physically free like you are that is reading this, “whom The Son Set Free Is Free Indeed,” (John 8:32-36), whether December 25th, or any other day of any month, in Him Christ Jesus we can live and celebrate all of life. He, Christ Jesus is the reason.

Much love to all who will read this, and remember, even though I’m a prisoner, I celebrate because I became an aggressive RECEIVER………Merry Christmas…….. JESUS IS LORD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!………. Terrance Lil Bear Plummer.