Christmas Behind Bars

15 hours ago
3 min read

Updated: 7 hours ago

Christmas behind bars, especially in seg (segregation), is definitely not Christmas, but the remembrance of when I was free celebrating Christmas in the free world is what makes the best Christmas in the world for me.

Just knowing that people love to be around me at Christmas is Christmas every single day. What gives me hope is the Holy Spirit. You see, this may sound a bit weird, but since I have been doing time, it has been hard because I have had no real family support. Not able to make commissary and so forth.

Dan Coffman - Jefferson City, MO

Depressing but Blessed

I have been incarcerated since January of 2009, and Christmas is the single most depressing time of the year for me, and also one of the blessed days of my life.

Being sentenced to life without parole, I try to find a pen pal every chance I can, but am unsuccessful. God hasn’t given me a pen pal, but has given me the gift of the women’s group at my church, at Witcher Baptist Church of God. Every year, the congregation, the women’s group, the Pastor, and even people in my old community will send me Christmas cards, and some even send me money.

The women’s group (WMU) will send me a card, words of encouragement, and prayers every month.

So, as you can guess, Christmas is depressing and sad for me, but also blessed and refreshing for me because of my Christian family at Witcher Baptist. God has kept us in each other’s lives and hearts since I’ve been in kindergarten.

Readers, I write to New Life all the time. They post my articles, poems, and have given me the platform to express my heartfelt love and appreciation for God’s continuous love and guidance through people in my life.

God is my Savior, the women of Witcher Baptist are my heroes, and Larry Rice and the New Life Evangelistic Center are gifts and blessings from the Lord. They make the connections, and we can continue to count on them.

Jason Holstein, Mt. Olive, WV

The Only Thing I Want for Christmas

The only thing I want for Christmas this year is for Lisa K’s health to get better. I am like a brother to her; we have known each other for 50 years. I pray that the Holy Spirit would come over her heart and soul so that she can’t help but feel it body and soul.

Victor R. Miller, Lansing, KS

My Christmas

I wake up on Christmas morning inside of my prison cell,

Wished God a Happy Birthday, but I was going thru hell.

Wondering what it would be like at home on this day.

Holding my loved ones in the special way.

Today is the day to be with your family and friends.

Not to be locked up, thinking that this day will never end.

They say that joy comes from within, no matter where you’re at.

But tell me how you can have peace in a six-by-nine flat?

This day is supposed to bring happiness to all,

Not to be alone and forgotten by all.

I think back when I was still a young child

Being at home, opening gifts, just going wild.

With a smile on my face and a gleam in my eye,

I might be older, but I remember that feeling inside.

You wait all year for this one special day,

And give thanks to the Lord in so many ways.

I’m wondering now how they are on Christmas Day,

As I pray for my loved ones so far away.

I hope they can all be together next year,

Maybe think of me without shedding a tear.

Opening their gifts and remembering the times

We all shared together with one heart, one mind.

Royce Dean Burdette, Mt. Olive, WV

Jesus Christ Has Changed My Life

I know that Jesus is right here with me and is changing me on a daily basis. I no longer watch TV, play Dominoes, or gamble. I spend my time doing Bible Correspondence courses, and I show brotherly love by sharing with others when I can.

Marty Jones, Beaumont, TX