FIT US FOR HEAVEN
Telling the Christmas story was a sacred task, so four-year-old me stood reverently on the church stage and carefully sang each word.
“Away in a manger, no crib for His bed..”
As I rocked invisible Baby Jesus in my arms, my elbows collided with those next to me. I froze. I was doing it all wrong.
Then I spied Mommy smiling in the second pew. She helped me recover my lines with discreet cues, yet my head still hung at the end.
Years later, I accepted a new role as a mother of two, eager for them to outperform me.
My eyes scanned their faces for signs of distress when my daughter and son took their places before the microphone. Mom sat next to me in the pew, patting my knee.
“I love Thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky..”
My applause began before the last note faded.
Also unable to take her eyes off of her grandchildren, Mom leaned over to slip me a tissue. “Here, Honey,” she whispered, and together we beheld the wonder of Baby Jesus watching over the next generation.
The year that my children outgrew the stage, Mom’s spot beside me also became vacant, and I arrived at the concert feeling out of place. Still, the sweet little voices reminded me that all was not lost in a season of hope.
“Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask you to stay..”
I openly wept unashamed and unable to remember my lines that Christmas, but Baby Jesus held me close.
Last week, the familiar carol played on in my mind while my granddaughter set up the nativity.
“Where’d the wise men come from, Nik?” she inquired, camel in hand.
My heart jumped back 50 years to my first failed attempt to deliver the message. This time I prayed to get it right.
“Um, well, Bug, they came from the Orient. Yes, from the East, the Bible says. They followed the star to Baby Jesus.”
I barely breathed while she considered my answer. Then suddenly, she reached her own conclusion, “Well, I think they came from New York!”
“Hmm,” I took a sip of coffee to give myself time to think.
Then, one by one, she marched each figurine over to the manger, to kiss Baby Jesus, and I swear I heard Heaven applaud.
“Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care and fit us for Heaven to live with Thee there.”
"And this is what will prove it to you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great army of heaven's angels appeared with the angel, singing praises to God:
“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and peace on earth to those with whom he is pleased!”
Luke 2:12-14 GNT