~ A Christmas Devotional ~

CHRISTMAS WAS OVER---and what a busy one it had been. The house had been full of people many times, present after present had been distributed to loved ones and friends, and there was a great sense of completeness that filled the heart and mind as the new year began.

"And finally," Mom thought, "I've got time to clean house and put away the decorations! " She knew it would be no easy task with three little ones running around the house and having to care for them as well. But moms know how to do the impossible. This mother worked day after day to clean house and put away the decorations. Admittedly, she had to stop from time to time to tend the children.

But one time, after coming back to the packing, she noticed something strange.
She had packed away the nativity set---you know the kind, porcelain figures with Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus, three kings, two shepherds, one lamb, one donkey, and one angel But after returning to put away the decorations, she noticed that Baby Jesus was missing from the nativity box. She knew she'd put it in there just a few minutes before. Maybe it had fallen out. No, it wasn't under the tree or under the couch.

At last she found it in the toy room---it must have fallen out and rolled across the linoleum. The mother picked up the Baby Jesus and put it back in the box, laying it on top of some other boxes for their annual trip upstairs to the attic.

A short time later, the mom returned again and noticed that Baby Jesus was once again missing. This time it wasn't in the toy room, the living room, or under the tree. Maybe one of her three little angels knew the whereabouts of Baby Jesus. "Virginia, do you know why Baby Jesus is missing from the box with the nativity set?" Seven-year old Virginia casually replied, "Nope!" chewing her gum and trying to pull her dolly's hair out. "Lilly, did you take Baby Jesus?"
Six-year old Lilly just answered, "Mother, of course not!"
Finally, there was four-year old Michael, who was always full of surprises. "Michael," asked Mom, "do you know why Baby Jesus is missing from the nativity set box?"
Michael looked sheepish. "Well...uh.. .you see..."

Just then Mom noticed something shiny---looking just like fine porcelain--- sticking out just enough to be seen from Michael's pocket. She again asked Michael, who replied, "I know where He is, but He told me not to tell!"
"Why did he tell you not to tell?" his mother asks.

With a serious face, Michael says quietly, "Because Baby Jesus doesn't want to be put away with the decorations! "

I loved this devotion that came my way because it fits this time of year.

Christmas (and Easter) are the times when people tend to get religious. Whether it be out of tradition or out of a need of some sort, we see it all the time.

And hey..if this time of year gets the unsaved folks saved, then it's all worth it!

But how many people do we know...when Christmas is said and done, pack up Jesus inside his little box till next year and only taking Him out during Christmas or when some major crisis hits?

I know plenty of people like that.

You know the saying that says "Jesus is the reason for the season". Actually, Jesus is the Reason every day, not just for the season.

Jesus is the reason why we should wake up in the morning and utter a breath of thankfulness before getting out of bed.

Jesus is the reason why, if you are reading this, He still has a purpose for your life and He has decdied to keep you a little bit longer here on this Earth before taking you home.

Jesus is the reason that even though we all have went through the trials and battles this year, we are still alive...and victorious! We have come out a winner.

Jesus is the reason we reach out to a family in need and comfort them, help them, pray with them, listen to them.

Let's not pack Jesus up in a box come the New Year. Keep Him with you in your heart and soul every day.

Merry CHRISTmas!