The Advent Journey is our time of moving toward experiencing once again the birth of Jesus Christ our Savior.  We anticipate, long for, expect, wait, and prepare for the coming of our Savior.  Someone said that the only sin for which we cannot be forgiven is the belief that we do not need a Savior.

 

I love this home in a small beautiful African village which proclaims over the doorpost that “Jesus is my Savior”.

One Christmas a few years ago my grandchildren were helping me arrange the nativity that is portrayed on my mantel every year during Advent.  The figures are special to me because my Aunt Dot made them.  And Baby Jesus is quite special because I found him in Italy.  The figure of Baby Jesus is fragile, so I had prepared the children to carry him gently.  “Don’t drop him!”  Callie, age 4, carefully picked up Baby Jesus, put on my reading glasses, and cradling him in her arms began to sing spontaneously.  I quickly grabbed my phone and captured the moment!

I will never forget how very precious was that moment!  (Click on the arrow to hear Callie sing).  Then, as she proceeded to place Baby Jesus back into the manger, he fell out of her arms onto the tile floor.  His head broke off at the neck!  I reacted quite passionately, of course!  Callie felt so bad.  Fighting back the tears, her little voice trembling, she said, “Grammy, can I go lay down on my bed?” Suddenly I realized…the entire essence of the Christ Child was before us.  He came to be our Savior….giving his life…broken so that we might be saved from our sin!  I felt a peace come over me which I needed and wanted to convey to my grandchildren.  THIS, perhaps, was the forever teaching moment.  I explained that Jesus came to be our Savior.  THIS baby is the Christ Child. He loves you! You are forgiven!

So now each year, I place the nativity on the altar…

And Baby Jesus has his head super glued back on.  Christ the Savior is born!

nk

Pondering…

Hold in your heart for a moment the Baby Jesus, Savior of the world. Feel his forgiveness.