As she was playing with the nativity figures she told me that baby Jesus was crying. I figured that would be very possible watching the way she manhandled him.
I was wondering if he had broke his arm or leg or maybe neck. Poor baby Jesus. His nurturing mother was no where to be found either. She was probably under the couch or somewhere hiding from Ellie's not so gentle embrace. Could you blame her! But Ellie meant well.
You could see Ellie was enjoying her encounter with the baby Jesus. She was playfully absorbed in the little manger and those swaddling clothes. I wondered what she thought of baby Jesus lying in such an uncommon and not so comfortable bed.
I remember as a child I too loved playing with our nativity. I would find it in it's usual place under our Christmas tree. Probably put there away from sticky little fingers.
The pieces tho would become chipped, broken and scarred over the years. Because of our not so gentle ways, a few arms, legs and crowns had to be carefully reglued.
I loved playing pretend with them. I would lay under the tree imagining what it was like for Mary to have been chosen to be the mother of Jesus. She was always beautiful and poised, bowing in adoration. At least the one I played with under the tree was.
In my little girl mind I would begin to picture the mom I would someday be. Imagining I could be a mother like Mary, so beautiful, brave and courageous and always bowing. Ok not the bowing part!
I would hear my heart say that I too love the sweet baby in the manger. I'm sure I didn't understand that this Christmas baby was our savior. How could a baby be the savior of the world?
Early on I would remember hearing the words and "she pondered these things in her heart." Mary, she had much to ponder. Over the years I would hear those words echoing in my heart. It's in those moments where I regroup and listen to the stirrings of my soul. I realized it's good to ponder sometimes!
Those elegant, broken, chipped figures from the nativity taught me a lot. They allowed me to imagine a story that would unfold through the pages of scripture.
Each Christmas we would read this familiar story over and over again. Thankfully we never tired of It.
As I pay attention to the simple truths, the simple words and simple thoughts of faith. They remind me to be thankful for the simple memories, even the broken, chipped and imperfect ones.
As I pay attention to the simple truths, the simple words and simple thoughts of faith. They remind me to be thankful for the simple memories, even the broken, chipped and imperfect ones.
Memories of a baby who lovingly came wrapped in mercy and grace. The miracle of Christmas right under the tree, beautifully wrapped for us in love, in swaddling clothes. The hidden gift that doesn't stay hidden. The miracle of his birth brings new hope.
It comes in the impossibilities, in the broken places and in the pain. When we welcome the broken, chipped and reglued, we welcome Him.
Advent is about seeing those places and drawing us to them with eyes and hearts wide open. Knowing he is coming. He comes in the simple uncommon places through uncommon moments. He shows up in places we never think to look.
The morning that Ellie told me baby Jesus was crying, I asked her what we should do. She said we should kiss him. She held him close to her face and with gentle hands kissed baby Jesus.
So did I!
May we all kiss baby Jesus and welcome him into our uncommon moments and in the places we least expect him to be. He is ready to do the impossible in our broken and imperfect lives.
He invites us "as is!!" We don't have to clean up first. That's the miracle of grace and love. The real miracle of Christmas!
I didn't tell Ellie, but He loves the gentle and even the not so gentle embrace of a child. It's ok if the pieces get chipped and broken or crowns need regluing. That's why He came.
He came for us. The broken, scarred, dirty, chipped, reglued people. Humbly he came. Reminding us to give away what he gave so graciously.
Whether you find your nativity pieces under the couch, under the tree, lying down, standing up, broken, chipped, dirty, scarred or reglued. Whether the halos are tilted or missing. Let it remind you that he came for you, as is. You who are greatly loved, so you can love greatly!
May we be ready for the unexpected with an expectant heart. May we encounter the swaddled baby in new and fresh ways today with childlike faith.
Welcome baby Jesus! Here's a kiss!
