Devotionals

The Christmas We Missed Jesus

by Sandra Fischer 
12/07/16
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Colored paper, boxes and ribbon covered the living room floor, evidence that our family had lived up to the cultural expectations of Christmas. We were leaving on vacation the next day and needed to clear the debris, dismantle the tree and pack away the decorations. During the process, our oldest daughter stopped. “I can’t find Baby Jesus”. While putting away paper maiche figures of Mary and Joseph. she noticed the baby missing from Mary’s arms. 

            The search began – everyone shaking wadded papers looking for the Christ child.  Soon, our youngest found him among some crumpled tissue. “Now he can be put away until next year”.

            Later, as I stood looking out on new fallen snow highlighted by a starry sky of Christmas lights strung by God, I was overtaken by shame and remorse. How is it we can celebrate Christmas and miss it at the same time?

Busy with all the trappings—food, decorations, parties and presents, we had missed the main thing, the best part, the greatest gift – the Christ child. Even when we do give notice to him, we pack him away into the “Christmas closet” of our lives, only bringing him out as a “decoration” for our celebration. Lord, forgive us for making ourselves the center of attention and forgetting Jesus. Thank you for showing us that without the gift of your Son we are lost. May He have the prominence He deserves each day of the year, especially at Christmas.

             Finding the missing figurine that year helped me find a new attitude toward celebrating Christmas. I treasure the lesson as God’s gentle reminder—without the Christ in Christmas we have no Christmas at all.

Sandra Fischer is a Faithwriters platinum member and author of the book, “Seasons in the Garden”.

www.faithwriters.com/member-profile.php?id=1729