The Perfectly Imperfect Nativity

Bible Reading: Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 1:21; 1 John 5:11

Dad had done everything he could to make this Christmas feel the same. He hung the outdoor lights, no problem. That was his task every year. He’d even whistled while he hung them. Mia smiled when she heard it. Dad hadn’t whistled much since Mom died last spring. It was a good sound. A happy sound.

But Dad struggled with the nativity set. “Um, Dad?” Mia said. “You look confused. Can I help?”

Dad laughed and sighed all at once. “I don’t know how she did it. I mean, the baby, Mary, Joseph…pretty easy, but…” He held up white stuffing in one hand and some greenery in the other. “What is this? And where do all these other guys go?”

Mia threw up her arms. “I have no idea!” They laughed together.

“I can’t make it exactly the same, Mia, and I’m sorry for that. But I hope you see…”

“I see, Dad.” Mia pointed to the little family on the mantle. “Father, mother, baby. We have what’s important.”

Dad nodded. “Yes, we do. We have the hope of Jesus. All the hope for this world, wrapped up in a baby. You know, I don’t hear it used much at Christmastime, but I’m reminded of a verse as I look upon our perfectly imperfect nativity. Do you remember John 3:16?”

Mia nodded. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Dad gently lifted the ceramic infant from his manger. “Mia, this decoration is the only one we really need, because it represents what we’re really celebrating at Christmas—the birth of the child who would bring hope for the whole world. Hope for eternity with Him.”

“And Mom!”

“And Mom, and all who put their trust in Jesus.”

Mia’s eyes filled with tears. “It still hurts.”

Dad drew her into his strong arms. “It still hurts now. But our hope is focused on the good that is coming. It won’t always be like this. One day, when Jesus returns as King, our pain and disappointments will be gone.” He replaced the baby in the manger. “Then we will really know the value of God’s precious gift.”

-Kristen O’Hara

How About You?

Are you struggling this Christmas? Maybe you’re missing someone. Christmas can be a tough time for people who are hurting. Yet the birth of Jesus gives us hope beyond anything we face on this earth. It lets us look past the now, way out into eternity! This Christmas, focus on the hope God gave the world that first Christmas by sending Jesus—hope for a perfect eternity with Him

Today’s Key Verse:
John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (NIV)

Today’s Key Thought:

Focus on the hope of Jesus