Every year our church family puts on a Christmas party. Sometimes it’s a formal dinner and program, sometimes it’s a visit to a nursing home, whatever. It’s fun to get together.
This year, the cultural hall (i.e. basketball court) was decked out to resemble a town square in Bethlehem. Bad picture but you can kind of get the idea.
Oh and, we were supposed to come in period attire. I was sure that would be a deal breaker for Jeff, but he was a good sport wearing his sheets and sashes.
The Young Men were Roman soldiers, charged with guarding stuff. They gave them swords.
The temptation was just too great.
Families piled together on blankets on the ground to eat breakfast. There were bodies strewn everywhere.
There was a program. Families arrived at Bethlehem to be counted. The script was cute and corny. Sample line: “My sister Anna makes great incense! I don’t what makes Frank’s incense so special!” And, as a family with 6 kids enters, “How long…?”, “Are we there yet…?”. So, you get the gist.
Then a couple starts wending their way through the strewn bodies on the floor. The husband keeps asking if there is room for them. We know how the story goes so people keep telling him no. But there is a hush and a reverence.
There is a small girl sitting near me in the center of the room. She is about 5 years old. About the 3rd or 4th time that someone tells Joseph “no”, she calls out loud and clear,
“We have room!”
She is immediately embarrassed because there is a rumble of chuckles that goes through the room.
I am instantaneously brought to tears by the purity of the offer from this child. So ready to be of service, to help someone in need and to make room for Christ.
I think I will remember that moment for a long time. I pray that I may follow her example.
