When I arrived, the parking lot bulged like Santa’s toy bag on Christmas Eve. I hurriedly circled the lot, hoping for one last space. When I didn’t find one, I made one. (Judge not a grandmother, lest ye be judged!) I was cutting it close as usual, but my ALWAYS-EARLY man had saved me a seat.
It was time for our two youngest grandchildren’s preschool Christmas program. Callie, my 4-year-old, had excitedly filled me in on her part as Mary. There would be angels and stars, and her 16-month-old brother would be a little cow. I asked if they would have a real baby to play Baby Jesus. She replied, “No, Baby Jesus is stuffed.” I had to laugh with a “Well, alrighty then!” Callie’s cousin Wade would play the part of Joseph. Knowing those two precocious ones, I couldn’t wait to see how this would “play” out.
The program exploded with scenes of costumed cuteness – and loud, unhappy mooing by a few of the youngest little cows and angels. As one of the teachers calmly narrated the story of Jesus’ birth, pure sweetness glossed over their pitchless songs. Just as the first song ended, our protective “Joseph” suddenly rose to his knees, pointed to the crib in a panic, and yelled, “The baby is gone! The baby is gone!”
Meanwhile, “Mary” and the “Star” tossed things this way and that, searching for the lost baby. Finally, “Mary” located her stuffed Baby Jesus and laid him back in his crib. All was well, and the show went on. As our family left the program, we were still laughing. “Oh, you know that will be my next blog!” I exclaimed.
I hope just imagining that scene fills you with some childlike wonder of the season. I hope in your quiet time you reflect on the little Lord Jesus asleep in the hay, the twinkle, twinkle of that little star pointing the way, and you choose to go tell it on the mountain!
I hope you remember that Jesus is not lost. He’s right where He’s always been, filling our hearts with God’s love. Even now, He sits at God’s right hand, covering our mistakes and stubbornness with His grace.
Let’s not let the crazy rush of December cause us to “lose the Baby.” May we find Him lovingly “stuffed” within our hearts so that we joyfully praise Him during this and every season. Jesus’ uncle Zechariah prophesied about the One who is worthy of our highest praise yet still considers us friends.
(You may be very familiar with these verses, but read them slowly today, like it’s your first encounter.)
“Then [John the Baptist’s] father, Zechariah, was filled with the Holy Spirit and gave this prophecy: ‘Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has visited and redeemed his people. He has sent us a mighty Savior from the royal line of his servant David, just as he promised through his holy prophets long ago. Now we will be saved from our enemies and from all who hate us. He has been merciful to our ancestors by remembering his sacred covenant—the covenant he swore with an oath to our ancestor Abraham. We have been rescued from our enemies so we can serve God without fear, in holiness and righteousness for as long as we live. And you, my little son, will be called the prophet of the Most High, because you will prepare the way for the Lord. You will tell his people how to find salvation through forgiveness of their sins. Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace.’” (Luke 1:68-79 NLT)
Remember, all is well, and the show will go on!
Merry Christmas from our family to yours!
