The beauty of a freshly cut Christmas tree adorned with twinkling lights. The ornaments shimmer and sparkle. Strands of tinsel, spools of bright red ribbon and colorful balls enhance the appearance of the finished creation. This project takes the better part of a day to complete. Is this how Jesus wants us to remember Christmas?
MY TINY HANDS PLACED JESUS IN THE MANGER
I am drawn to a simpler perspective. When I was in preschool at the age of 3, we were taught the story of Jesus’ birth with a felt board. My favorite part of the lesson was to recreate the nativity scene and tell the story all by myself; in simple 3-year-old language. I always saved baby Jesus for last because He is the best part of the story. My tiny hands placed baby Jesus in the manger and covered Him with the white felt cloth. I said, “The Savior of the world was born, and His name was Jesus.”
The story of Jesus’ birth; so simple that a 3-year-old can tell it, yet so powerful that our grown-up minds still struggle to comprehend its majestic meaning. Luke 2: 11-12 announces, “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
AT AGE 3, THE MEANING OF THIS BIRTH CHANGED MY LIFE FOREVER
Shortly after learning the story in preschool, I made a simple craft for my Christmas tree. A cracked walnut shell represented the manger. My small hands found the perfect sized peanut shell to symbolize Jesus, and a rust-colored piece of fabric to swaddle the “baby”. With fine-tipped Sharpie marker I drew simple face. I chose to make the mouth of my baby Jesus smile since he really was the Savior of the world. At the age of three, the meaning of this birth changed my heart forever.
THE ORNAMENT WITH JESUS TUCKED INSIDE
Fifty years later, I still have the walnut ornament with Jesus tucked inside. I see Its dull colors and the Sharpie black face has faded to gray. And yes, the peanut occasionally needs regluing. My once freshly cut Christmas tree is now artificial, but still beautiful. I still have the twinkling lights and many beautifully colored ornaments. But my favorite ornament of all is the walnut shelled manger holding the peanut Jesus. It is front and center.
REMEMBER THE WORDS OF THE 3 YEAR OLD
What is your heart yearning for this Advent season? May your hearts be filled with peace. A peace that only the Holy Spirit can fill. Simply slow down and be still. Remember the words of the 3-year-old. “Jesus has come to be the Savior of the world!”
It came upon the midnight clear, that glorious song of old,
from angels bending near the earth to touch their harps of gold:
“Peace on the earth, good will to men, from heaven’s all-gracious King.”
The world in solemn stillness lay, to hear the angels sing.
For lo! the days are hastening on, by prophet seen of old,
when with the ever-circling years shall come the time foretold
when peace shall over all the earth its ancient splendors fling,
and the whole world send back the song which now the angels sing.