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“My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has been mindful of the humble state of His servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me – holy is His name” (Luke 1:46-49).

Brooksyne provides a memory for this message:

Perhaps you've gone to see "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever",  a very popular movie directed by Dallas Jenkins which is based on the book written by Barbara Robinson.

In over 50 years of ministry, with most of those years teaching and working with children, I never directed a pageant quite like the movie. But the skit I directed sixteen years ago had a very slight resemblance and we recall that today in our message.

I had the role of planning and leading our Christmas Eve service in the church we attended at that time. In the beginning of the service I invited the little children to come forward to the manger setting on the platform where they played the role of shepherds and angels and Joseph took his place. What I hadn't planned was a three year old visitor who, without hesitation, followed them up to the platform and took Mary's seat right next to Baby Jesus lying in the manger.

A few seconds later three-year old Tirza took her big steps up to the platform to take her place playing Mary. Seeing the visitor sitting in her designated seat did not phase Tirza. Instead she reached into the manger and lifted Baby Jesus into her arms. She then lovingly rocked and cuddled him as the children sang, “Away in a Manger.” Those close enough to look on found the live nativity to be a charming event. Although nervous at first about the disruption to my plans, I found myself thoroughly enjoying the spontaneity of the young children.

Following the service I was stepping down the stairs off the platform when I passed Tirza who was making her way back again up the big steps (for a 3 year old). She walked over to the short wooden stool we had set up earlier for Mary.  She sat right down, reached over and once again lifted Baby Jesus out of the manger. She then gave Him tender love and attention, looking like that of a mother loving on her newborn. This time no one was looking on. In fact the people left pretty quickly so they could get to other Christmas Eve activities. That got me to thinking.

Tirza didn’t want the role of Mary so others could watch her and whisper, “Isn’t she adorable!” though she was. She took her position after others left because that’s where her heart remained during the entire service. We had an abundance of Scripture narration, Christmas carols, Pastor’s meditation, Communion, and the Candle Lighting service but Tirza must have been thinking of Baby Jesus lying in a manger all by Himself while we were busy with all the other Christmas activities.

Her innocent childlike affection for the newborn babe is a lesson for all of us who get busy with all the activities of the season before and after the 25th but we unintentionally leave Baby Jesus all alone in His manger. Our love and affection can be shown to Him in part by reading His Word and endearing its message to our hearts, much like Mary who, though she didn’t understand everything she was told, chose to “treasure up all these things and ponder them in her heart” (Luke 2:19).

We are on the dawn of a new year where we’re often challenged to make New Years resolutions. In this New Year I want to challenge you to treasure your Bible just as little Tirza treasured Baby Jesus. Don’t leave it on a shelf only to be pulled down when others might take notice as you go to church on a Sunday. Read it daily, ponder its meaning for your life, search for hidden truths and most especially apply the message to your heart through prayer. Hopefully your Bible will show plenty of wear, not because of abuse but because of daily usage. 

It is through the faithful reading of Scripture and prayer that we will be able to rejoice and proclaim just like Mary, "The Mighty One has done great things for me – Holy is His name".

Be encouraged today, Hebrews 3:13

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer:   Father, we confess that it is often easier to be busy about Your kingdom than it is to simply sit at the feet of the King and listen to His voice. Increase our desire to set aside a segment of each day to be a sacred time with You so that we faithfully read Your Holy Word and commune with You.  It is in communion with You that we grow in our love and devotion and we become mindful of the great things You do for us.   You are the Mighty One who is at work in our lives and You have done great things in us - Holy is Your name. Amen.

Additional Note: Lu, who was on the decorating committee, had placed the manger in a corner near the nursery for several weeks before Christmas Eve. When she prepared to bring it out for the manger scene she told me that she noticed how Baby Jesus had been rearranged several times over the past weeks. My guess is that little Tirza had been caring for the baby while others had simply filed past it. If so, it's not surprising that she felt that she had a need to be caring for this "Christ child" when the manger was finally brought out for all to see.

Tirza has now grown into a lovely young lady of 19 and faithfully serves the Lord. I ran into her a couple weeks ago when I was volunteering at our local Gift and Thrift Shop. I inquired about her recent mission trip to Spain with her grandparents, Galen and Nancy Martin, only to learn that she is going to teach English to students in El Salvador come January. I know that she will be a great blessing to the students and surely to the church she gets connected with during her stay there.