Merry Christmas, Madeline

The words to the song Merry Christmas written by Third Day, one of my favorite Christian bands, were sent to me from my sister-in-law Kerry. This Christmas will be the third one without you, Madeline, and even though we don't know who you are or when we will meet you, in our hearts you already have a place. We all can't wait for you to come home to us. When we began this adoption journey in June of 2005, we never dreamed that two and a half years later we would still be waiting to meet you.
It's difficult to put into words what it's like to love someone without knowing them, how deep that longing is, and while hope is always there, the unknown end hurts. Madeline, there's a place for your bed in Leo's room that you will someday share, and even though Leo now uses a booster seat, the highchair stays out waiting for you. I think Leo will be a great big brother for you, and while he may get a bit crazy with his hammer at times, he loves to give sweet sloppy kisses and gentle hugs that I'm sure you will love. We talk about you like you are here with us, because somewhere in China tonight you are waiting for us to come get you. We'll be there soon, baby girl.

MERRY CHRISTMAS -- THIRD DAY
There's a little girl trembling on a cold December morn
Crying for momma's arms
At an orphanage just outside a little China town
There the forgotten are
But half a world away I hang the stockings by the fire
And dream about the day when I can finally call you mine
It's Christmas time again but you're not home
Your family is here and yet you're somewhere else alone
And so tonight I pray that God will come and hold you in his arms
And tell you from my heart I wish you Merry Christmas
As I hang the tinsel on the tree and watch the twinkling lights
I'm warmed by the fire's glow
Outside the children tumble in a wonderland of white,
Make angels in the snow
But half a world away you try your best to fight the tears
And hope that heaven's angels come to carry you here
It's Christmas time again but you're not home
Your family is here and yet you're somewhere else alone
And so tonight I pray that God will come and hold you in his arms
And tell you from my heart
I wish you Merry Christmas
Christmas is a time to celebrate the holy child
and we celebrate his perfect gift of love
He came to earth to give his lifeand prepare a place for us
so we could have a home with him above
It's Christmas time again and now you're home
Your family is here so you will never be alone
So tonight before you go to sleep, I'll hold you in my arms
And I'll tell you from my heart, and I'll you from my heart
I wish you Merry Christmas

For anyone that would like to hear the song you can go to http://caswell.blogspot.com/china/ and scroll down to the "Dare you not to cry" entry where another family on a similar journey has put the song to pictures.