Christmas Memories

Ah, Christmas memories. When we were kids, my younger sister Kim and I had different opinions about Christmas. She loved it, I loathed it. To me it was the interruption of my little schedule, too much running around from relative's house to relative's house, doing what Mom and Dad wanted me to do, versus not enough time with my friends. To her it was lights, magic and most of all...Baby Jesus. Oh how little Kim loved Christmas decorations....manger scenes in particular.

One year, some new neighbors, the Fontana family, moved in across the street from our house. Lo and behold, once December 1st arrived, they decorated their house up like it was the little town of Bethlehem, complete with a life sized manger scene. Kim was in awe. She would often go into their yard just to stand there and admire the manger scene. Fortunately the neighbors didn't mind. Joseph and Mary were there at the scene, along with various barn yard animals, a few shepherds and, of course, the wise men bearing gifts....but most importantly Baby Jesus was there. In the manger. Kim loved the baby Jesus doll. Sometimes she would even pick him up to hold him and sing to him. Everyone thought it was adorable. 

One night, there was a stir among the neighbors when Mrs. Fontana noticed that Baby Jesus was missing in action! Who could have done such a thing? Rumor on the street was that it was most likely some mean-spirited teenagers playing a prank. As the search for baby Jesus ensued, each neighbor joined in. After all, Mrs. Fontana had paid a lot for him!

My mother was soon embarrassed to find him in Kim's room, swaddled in blankets, warm and cozy on her bed. Of course I don't recall the next part word for word, but in my memory it went something like this:

       "Kim, why did you take Baby Jesus?" mom asked, horrified and no doubt trying to come up with the best way to apologize to Mrs. Fontana.

       "Because, Mommy, it's getting cold outside. The right thing to do is to bring Baby Jesus into our house and let him be comfortable here,"  Kim replied, not in the least bit sorry.

Well, out of the mouths of babes.

The Baby Jesus figurine was returned unharmed to the Fontanas. The neighbors got a good laugh once they found out that the "thief" was just a little girl who was afraid he'd be cold outside that night.  

Truth is, when we were kids, my little sister grasped what the whole Christmas season was supposed to be about. She knew who the star of the show was. It didn't matter when Jesus was born, it mattered that Jesus was born and that's what we were to celebrate. Even back then, I got caught up in all the busy-ness and distractions of the season (still struggle with that!) she just wanted to gaze into His sweet face and spend time with Him. Mrs. Fontana might have paid a lot for the doll in her lovely manger scene, but the real Jesus paid it all for her, you, me and anyone else who will accept what He did in exchange for forgiveness. Until we let Him in, He stands outside politely waiting. But He's not cold, or lacking in any way. He wants into our lives for our sakes. He doesn't need us, we need Him...DESPERATELY!  If He's knocking, please let him in. If He's already in, please don't ignore Him. Spend time with Him, love Him and make Him comfortable in your house. You won't regret it!

May His peace and presence permeate your heart, hearth and home this Christmas season and beyond. God Bless!  

Revelation 3:20 "Listen! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him, and he with Me..."

Stephanie Connor