I once heard a story that went something like this: A woman was Christmas shopping in a department store with her little son. During the shopping she inadvertently let go of her son’s hand and he wandered off. Frantically, she looked all over the store calling his name. She finally found him. He was looking through a glass at the nativity scene. “Johnny!” she called. “Look mommy. It’s the baby Jesus!” he said to her, excitedly. “Come on here Johnny,” she yelled grabbing his hand. “I have too much Christmas shopping to do. I don’t have time for Jesus.” They disappeared into the crowd.
This is a joyous, joyful time for Christians. What’s also good about it is that joy can be contagious. It’s a good time to say to others before they disappear into the crowd, “Look, it's the baby Jesus." Let’s keep Jesus visible. I recall a time when the nativity scene was what people put up on their lawns or in the open garage for the public to see. My church used to have a life sized nativity scene on the old church lawn. It was lit up and because it was on a busy corner it added to the real meaning of Christmas. I don’t know why we stopped. Today, people's homes have lots of lights, Santa Clauses, reindeer, snowmen on the lawn, and decorated Christmas trees. Nativity scenes are hard to find. They've disappeared from some church lawns. The nativity scene seems to have been replaced by the Christmas tree and boughs of holly ... even in Holy places.
It’s been a long time since I went caroling. Back when I was a teenager, the young people in our church used to go Christmas Caroling in the neighborhood and visit nursing homes. After caroling, we would come back to the church for a Christmas party. A highlight was the hot buttered cider that was always served. Do people still go caroling? Please let me know through comments below. I’d love to see young folks doing that here in the northeast Bronx.
Here in America in addition to Christmas, during this season Jews celebrate Chanukah, Muslims celebrate the Islamic New Year and some African Americans celebrate Kwanzaa. So, there should be lots of smiles on the faces of the people we pass on the street, and in the shopping malls. Much will be said about the lack of reverence and the commercialism during our season of Advent, Christmas and Epiphany. Although not everyone we meet is celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, let everyone know where your heart is with a cheerful Merry Christmas.
Look, brothers and sisters, it’s the baby Jesus! Do you have time for Him?
This is a joyous, joyful time for Christians. What’s also good about it is that joy can be contagious. It’s a good time to say to others before they disappear into the crowd, “Look, it's the baby Jesus." Let’s keep Jesus visible. I recall a time when the nativity scene was what people put up on their lawns or in the open garage for the public to see. My church used to have a life sized nativity scene on the old church lawn. It was lit up and because it was on a busy corner it added to the real meaning of Christmas. I don’t know why we stopped. Today, people's homes have lots of lights, Santa Clauses, reindeer, snowmen on the lawn, and decorated Christmas trees. Nativity scenes are hard to find. They've disappeared from some church lawns. The nativity scene seems to have been replaced by the Christmas tree and boughs of holly ... even in Holy places.
It’s been a long time since I went caroling. Back when I was a teenager, the young people in our church used to go Christmas Caroling in the neighborhood and visit nursing homes. After caroling, we would come back to the church for a Christmas party. A highlight was the hot buttered cider that was always served. Do people still go caroling? Please let me know through comments below. I’d love to see young folks doing that here in the northeast Bronx.
Here in America in addition to Christmas, during this season Jews celebrate Chanukah, Muslims celebrate the Islamic New Year and some African Americans celebrate Kwanzaa. So, there should be lots of smiles on the faces of the people we pass on the street, and in the shopping malls. Much will be said about the lack of reverence and the commercialism during our season of Advent, Christmas and Epiphany. Although not everyone we meet is celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, let everyone know where your heart is with a cheerful Merry Christmas.
Look, brothers and sisters, it’s the baby Jesus! Do you have time for Him?
