Follow the
Star….
I was
incredibly blessed to share the Nativity story with the preschool children at St. Philip’s
UMC this week. We talked about the
parts of the story that three- and four-year-olds could really understand about
that first Christmas.
We talked
about Mary and how she was very close to having a baby when she made a long
journey with Joseph. I told the kids
that we guess it took Mary and Joseph about a week to make the trip from
Nazareth to Bethlehem. Over 2000 years
ago, they didn’t have any of the travelling conveniences we have today. Many of the kids insisted Mary must have
ridden a donkey…..well, it may not be Biblical but there is one in our Nativity
scenes, as well. Many of the kids’ Moms
had been pregnant within their short memories, so they could identify with Mary’s
size and discomfort.
How is your
journey to Bethlehem? Is it long and
dangerous and uncomfortable like Mary’s?
Do you have a donkey to ride?
Have you even begun your journey?
The children
and I also talked about the shepherds. How
most people wouldn’t associate with the shepherds, but they were the first ones
that God chose with which to share the Good News. They weren’t afraid and they immediately went
looking for that babe in a manger.
What is your Good News? Do you believe it? Have you looked for it? Most importantly, are you willing to dance in
the streets and proclaim that news to others who normally won’t listen to you?
In this
season of Christmas, I am truly dismayed by what is highlighted on the news. Celebrities and their comments and people
being grouped together because they identify themselves as persons of faith both
dominate the news. Many people who
identify themselves as Christians believe many different things. Please remember that as you evaluate any
situation.
The Bible is
a living document. Particularly this
time of year, I truly believe Jesus himself tells us what he would like for his
“birthday” – and everyday.
In Luke
Chapter 10, verse 27, Jesus shared the greatest commandment: “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your being, with ll your strength, and with all your mind, and love your neighbor as yourself.”
It is an amazing gift – one
we can give to Jesus this year.
Follow the star…..to
Bethlehem….and to love.
Merry Christmas.
~Melissa
