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glorious, that it is beyond finite comprehension. To believe that the universe was created
by a purposeful, benign Creator is one thing. To believe that this Creator took on human
vesture, accepted death and mortality, was tempted, betrayed, broken, and all for love of
us, defies reason. It is so wild that it terrifies some Christians who try to dogmatize their
fear by lashing out at other Christians, because tidy Christianity with all answers given is
easier than one which reaches out to the wild wonder of God's love, a love we don't even
have to earn.
Thats what Christmas means. God says, Im with you. God came in Jesus and hes
with us and for us - he comes down to our level and stays with us - the Message
translation of the first chapter of Johns gospel says, The Word became flesh and blood
and moved into the neighborhood. Where we live. No matter where we live.
Jesus went missing
Thats the beauty and power of what the manger scene hints at. And we are privileged to
host the community manger scene out front of the church building here.
But four years ago - baby Jesus went missing from that manger scene. One day he was
there, and the next day - he was gone. Snatched from the manger during the cover of
darkness.
The strange case of the missing baby Jesus got media coverage all over the world, Im
told. It got people wondering, who would abscond with a plastic baby Jesus from a
manger, and why? Was it nefarious atheists? Was it the Grinch? Was it a prank?
No clues as to where he went. No ransom note demanding we pay up or well never seen
baby Jesus again. We hurriedly put our spare baby Jesus in the manger - you should
always have a spare baby Jesus - because a manger without a baby Jesus, well thats just
not right. But then some days later, baby Jesus turned up, the miscreant or prankster who
kidnapped him put baby Jesus in the arms of one of the statues around the fountain on the
Square. And now when we put up the manger, we zip-tie Jesus in there, youd need a
pair of bolt-cutters to get him out.
But we learn something from this
But whoever took baby Jesus from the manger, inadvertently provided us with a teachable
moment. Reminding us that while Jesus came as a baby in a manger, he didnt stay in the
manger, he didnt stay a baby either.
I am reminded of the wonderful scene in the movie Talladega Nights. At one point in the
film, Ricky Bobby prays. What was really unusual about it was that he prayed it to the
little baby Jesus. Dear tiny Baby Jesus in Your tiny baby crib, with Your tiny little hands
and feet, watching Your tiny little Einstein Baby Development videos, use Your tiny little
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time, it can make it feel worse - because there may be an empty place at the table
tomorrow where someone we loved used to sit; or we worry this will be our last
Christmas, or we know that after tomorrow we have to face the same stuff that is slowly
sucking the life out of us. And after Christmas, what?
Heres the story of how Jesus showed up in one mans life:
Locked behind the razor-wire fences of a Florida prison is no place to spend a
holiday. I'd spent 15 Christmases under these less-than-festive conditions, but this
year..I was stuck in confinementa prison inside a prison where the supposed
troublemakers are sent. In reality, anyone can find himself in the hole by irritating
the wrong person.
Because I was going to be locked in a cell 24 hours a day through Christmas, I
figured nothing memorable could happen. Beyond a five-minute shower three
times weekly, there wasn't much to look forward to.
Christmas night in confinement, alone in my cell, I read in my Bible about Paul
and Silas, who were also inside a prison. Despite their miserable predicament,
they were praying and singing hymns to God while the other prisoners listened.
The lights went out and I stared at the ceiling from my bunk, wondering if I could
praise God in the midst of my circumstances. I could hear a mouse nibbling on
some crackers I left out for him. Then suddenly I heard a voice come out of the
vent above the toilet. It was Andrew in the next cell. "Merry Christmas, Roy," he
said.
"Merry Christmas, Andrew," I replied.
"Do you know any Christmas songs?" Andrew asked.
"Yeah, I know a few."
"I'll sing one if you'll sing one," he said.
"What should we sing?"
"Joy to the World." And he sang every verse. I sang the chorus with him. Then it
was my turn and I chose "Silent Night." Then he sang "O Come All Ye Faithful,"
and I answered with "Feliz Navidad."
"I have another song," Andrew said, and sang "O Holy Night." Silence filled the
quad as everyone listened. It was a moment I'll never forget. It...reminded
me...(that) every day is Christmas when God has arrived. It wasn't just another
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day, and I wasn't alone. Emmanuel was in confinement with me, in my cell,
blessing me.
God has arrived, in Jesus Christ. Came as a baby. And thats a profound, awe-inspiring
gift. But Jesus didnt stay in the manger. He grew up and lived and died and rose from
the dead to free us from evil and death. And hes in our world now and in our lives,
ready to bring us healing and freedom, to bring us strength and courage and hope, Lord
how we crave hope, to bring us even peace and joy that last beyond the beauty of this
night. He wants to give us those things. He wants to give you himself. As we sing
together about Christ coming into our world, may we open our minds and hearts to him
that he can come into our lives. Amen.