Mallory, my friend's three year old granddaughter, excitedly sat in her car seat to see the live nativity. She squealed when she saw the live animals.
Her mother explained the story as they drove through. They stopped the car beside the manger with a real baby portraying the Christ child. Mallory wanted to get out of her seat and go play with him. Of course her mother would not let her.
The next day Mallory could be heard in her room, "No, no, you can't get out, no!"
Her mom went and peeked in the doorway. Mallory's little toy people were piled high in cars leaving only the baby Jesus in the manger. Mallory would push the cars by and not let any of the toy people get out to play with Jesus. Her mom smiled, sat down with Mallory and let all the people out to play.
"And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man, and not wanting to disgrace her, desired to put her way secretly. But when he had considered this, behold, and angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, 'Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for that which has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for it is He who will save His people from their sins.'" Matthew 1:19-21
Joseph, wanted to wed Mary, but then this. His plan was to hide her away, until the angel spoke to his heart. He understood this was to be a public event.
This Christmas season, we openly confess Jesus to be the Lord, the One who came to earth to save us. Yet when the season is over, what then? Do I celebrate Christmas, then the rest of the year, drive on by? Where is my Jesus, or rather where am I--in the car passing by? Or will I invite others to come play and enjoy Him, too?
Have a Blessed Christmas with Full of Love and Joy for You All!
Her mother explained the story as they drove through. They stopped the car beside the manger with a real baby portraying the Christ child. Mallory wanted to get out of her seat and go play with him. Of course her mother would not let her.
The next day Mallory could be heard in her room, "No, no, you can't get out, no!"
Her mom went and peeked in the doorway. Mallory's little toy people were piled high in cars leaving only the baby Jesus in the manger. Mallory would push the cars by and not let any of the toy people get out to play with Jesus. Her mom smiled, sat down with Mallory and let all the people out to play.
"And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man, and not wanting to disgrace her, desired to put her way secretly. But when he had considered this, behold, and angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, 'Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for that which has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for it is He who will save His people from their sins.'" Matthew 1:19-21
Joseph, wanted to wed Mary, but then this. His plan was to hide her away, until the angel spoke to his heart. He understood this was to be a public event.
This Christmas season, we openly confess Jesus to be the Lord, the One who came to earth to save us. Yet when the season is over, what then? Do I celebrate Christmas, then the rest of the year, drive on by? Where is my Jesus, or rather where am I--in the car passing by? Or will I invite others to come play and enjoy Him, too?
Have a Blessed Christmas with Full of Love and Joy for You All!
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11 comments:
Mary Christmas, Karen.
I love the way little children imitate with their innocent games.
~ Wendy
Karen, that's such a filled story, and you not even need look very deep. Thanks for sharing that! And Merry Christmas to you.
What a wonderful story! Kids are the best :)
Wishing you a blessed and merry Christmas, and may the birth of our Lord and Savior be a testament to us all of the true beauty of all that is God.
Hugs, sweet friend
Ma
Love this story and your question is so pertinent. What do we do with the baby after Christmas? Merry Christmas. Love Clella
yes, yes let enjoy Jesus all year long! He is the best playmate
Wendy, Merry Christmas to you and your family. If only we would imitate so easily what we learn from the Word.
Janna, thanks, that's what I thought when my friend shared it with me. Have a Merry Christmas!
Karyn, yes, the true beauty of all that is God. Enjoy your Christmas.
Clella, have a very happy birthday with all your family and that precious great grandbaby.
Jeanie, He is the best friend and playmate. Merry Christmas!
Hi Karen,
Saw you stopped by my blog and thought I would come by yours to thank you and wish you a Merry Christmas. It was belief that your post just fit into the last 4 hours of my life. God let me participate in a Christmas miracle, and your post about driving by or letting the people out just really reinforced the last four hours for me. I got to "stop and let the people out to play" and am so thankful for that opportunity. A true Christmas miracle.
Have a wonderful Christmas of your very own. Look forward to meeting more of you in the next year!
Kate
Kate, I have chill bumps. Don't we have an amazing God? I will enjoy reading more of your blog.
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas Karen!
Love thinking about your imagery of driving by vs. engaging. Hmmm.
Blessings!
Karen: I love this story. Children get to the heart of what matters, don't they?
Love,
Jen
Audience of ONE
Dawn, thanks, I hope you had a wonderful Christmas.
Jeanette, yes, they are so uninhibited and transparent. Blessings on this New Year and your book!
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