December 19, 2003
After having decorated for the holidays one Christmas a few years ago, our son would approach a nativity display that we had set out with what seemed to be a great sense of reverence. He would walk up to it solemnly and with great care, toddler though he was, touch the various parts of the scene.
He would occasionally ask us questions about the account of Jesus’ birth and we would, of course, tell him over and over again the Christmas story, delighting in his openness and interest in the things of God.
“So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee in Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped Him in cloths and placed Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn” (Luke 2:4-7).
Our son, each time he heard it, would point out the different personalities involved in the Christmas story who were represented in the nativity set: “Der’s Mary. Der’s Joseph. Der’s the shep-uds. Der’s the wise man-s. And der’s Baby Jesus!”
One evening as we were preparing for our nightly ritual of story time, I walked past the nativity set and casually glanced at it only to spy a flash of orange. I turned and looked more closely only to find a small plastic Tigger standing in the midst of the Shepherds and Wise Men, saluting the Christ Child. I didn’t remove the small, stripey character, our son’s favorite toy at that time. Instead, I caught up my young son in my arms as he ran by and asked him who that was in the stable with Baby Jesus.
Naturally, he replied, “It’s Tigga!” “Why is Tigger there?” I asked. My son looked up at me and as sweetly as he’s ever said anything answered, “He’s worshipping Jesus, too, and… and he’s singing ‘Happy Buthday’!” “Oh,” I said, kissing him on his head and holding him tightly.
In such a wonderful time of celebration, whether we’re celebrating family, good friends, rich food (*ahem*), or meaningful traditions, it would be wonderful and right if we took all those precious things we love about Christmas and also placed them under the feet of Jesus, singing “Happy Birthday” to this One Who is the center of Christmas.
After all, Jesus’ coming to earth on a “rescue mission” for you and me firmly establishes for us an anchor of hope in a very chaotic age. Knowing that our favorite Christmas carols about angels singing together of peace and hope aren’t just songs. They are reminders to us that God’s love cannot be conquered by human evil. Sometimes that love enters the scene almost silently and unassumingly (how unassuming is being born in a stable?). But it enters nonetheless.
You may never have had “time for God” before or may have felt that God has never had time for you - you wouldn’t be the first to have mistakenly adopted these attitudes. But God is doing something in your life right now… something that may seem silent or invisible. He is very likely entering the scene of your circumstances ready to establish His presence in your life in a fabulous new way if you would let Him, in the same way that He quietly entered our world in what probably seemed an unimportant place in Rome’s grand designs.
But that’s how God moves. He takes the “small and weak”, the “broken and forgotten” and brings healing, strength and hope. Christmas is a perfect place to pause and consider how “Tiggerific” God’s power and love are. Stop during this Christmas season and join the Angels, Shepherds and Wise Men in praising this Prince of Peace and in wishing Him a Happy Birthday!
(Thom Mollohan has ministered in southern Ohio the past eight years and is currently the pastor of Pathway Community Church. He and his wife are the parents of three children. He may be reached by email at pastorthom@pathwaygallipolis.com).
