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!
Photo: Bing images
Posts
