How Children See Christmas
Hi, I’m Joni and no one tells the Christmas story quite like a kid.
Merry Christmas everyone, happy December the 25th: the most joyful day of all. And what better way to experience Christmas joy than through the eyes of a child, right? I recall being in a Christmas play when I was I think in first grade (maybe you recall doing the same thing at school or at church when you were a child.) Come to think of it, looking back, I’m amazed that presenting a play about the birth of Christ was even possible back in public school. But incredible as it seems, we even sang “Joy to the World, the Lord Has Come.” That was way back in 1955 when they would allow you to sing such a Christmas hymn in school. In that elementary school Christmas play that I was in, I was the donkey that Mary rode. I can’t recall who took the backside of the animal, but I commanded the front end. I was given the part because I had the best “hee-haw, hee-haw.” Don’t laugh. I was really good. And of course, I would be good because I had actually petted a real donkey. I knew all about animals and how they sounded. So, I took my part seriously.
It was about the amazing story of God sending His Son into this dark, broken world — a world filled with grief and misery; a world without hope. But God did not leave us in a world without hope. No, He is too good for that. In fact, in His infinite wisdom, centuries earlier, right after Adam fell, God gave us hope. He foretold in the Garden of Eden that one day a Savior would come to crush Satan, defeat sin and open a way for men and women to be redeemed. God renewed that promise time and again throughout the Old Testament. He spoke through the prophets that one day a Savior, a deliverer, a rescuer, would come. But the most astounding thing about this rescue — and the reason so many people missed it — is that Christ came in weakness. He came unexpectedly, just when hope was at its lowest. He entered history by being born in a dirty wooden manger, in poverty, in the cold night, as somewhat of an outcast there in that stable, and perhaps the greatest sign of His weakness: He came in human flesh.
This is good news — this is great news — for anyone who is weak. From the very beginning, from Bethlehem on, the Good News was proclaimed to anyone and everyone who would see himself as weak and deprived and in desperate need of a Savior. And perhaps that’s why the Christmas story seems most poignant when told through a child. Like that Christmas play performed by first graders such a long time ago. Christ is concerned for us when we are hungry. He is concerned for us when we are in trouble. He is concerned for us when we are tempted. Christ’s sympathy with us means that He can relieve our suffering. He can provide for our daily needs. He can help us avoid engaging in sin. Christ’s sympathy with us means that He can experience what we feel emotionally. Jesus rejoices with us when we rejoice for good and godly things. All this is available to us, all this, Jesus does for us. All because of the Christmas story. It’s what we’re celebrating today and, in fact, I’ve posted a very fun video of children telling the Christmas story and it’s all there for you at joniandfriends.org/radio. So friends, have a safe and blessed Christmas. All of us at Joni and Friends love you in the Lord Jesus! Let me hear from you today at my Facebook page or you can always post a comment on my Blog at joniandfriends.org.
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