I come from a long line of women who love to decorate for Christmas. My Mom and Grandmothers both decorate to the nines. Christmas would not be the same for me without a tree, a nativity scene, and a menagerie of snowmen. When Chad and I became a family of our own, we started talking about how we wanted to celebrate Christmas, and this discussion has deepened with the birth of our two precious sons. It is our heart that we instill in our boys the true meaning of Christmas. To quote a Christmas song that means a great deal to me, I want other people to know that Christmas is a time when we "celebrate the day that You (Jesus) were born to die so I could one day pray for You to save my life."
Now, our boys are still too young to grasp some aspects of Christmas, but we decided to start teaching them the Christmas story early. Jack knows who Baby Jesus is, although he says "Jeez" instead of "Jesus." Melts my heart every time. Last year, Jack was given an adorable nativity set that he can play with. It's been on the floor of the boys' room with pieces strewn about in all directions. This morning, decided to clean off the fireplace hearth and arrange Jack and Luke's nativity so they can see it and play with it. I found the stable, animals, shepherds, Mary, and Joseph. I even found the angel and 2 of the wisemen. After some searching, I was able to locate the third magi under Jack's bed. I had every member of the initial Christmas story, except the most important player- Baby Jesus!!! I spend a good deal of time crawling around on the floor looking under furniture and digging through cubbies full of toys. I still couldn't find Him anywhere.
My search for baby Jesus struck a heart string. It is so easy to miss Jesus in Christmas. With the hustle and bustle of the season, I am so quick to forget that Christmas is about celebrating the birth of a tiny, vulnerable baby who was born to 2 very young and inexperienced parents. He wasn't born in a hospital, or even somewhere clean, for that matter. A stable was his shelter. While His entrance into the world may seem meager, all of heaven rejoiced! Angels came and told of His birth. Men traveled miles and miles to lay their eyes on Him. The most beautiful love story in all of history had the most humble and the most miraculous beginning. I do not want to lose Jesus in my Christmas. The nativity scene means nothing without Him. Christmas means nothing without Him. My life means nothing without Him.
I am pleased to report, that our Baby Jesus was found at last. He was in the kitchen underneath the window. I'm sure Jack carried Him in there, all the while saying, "Baby Jeez." He is now safely in His place on the hearth.
May you too find and keep Jesus this Christmas.
