A FEW YEARS AGO I pondered what to write for the Christmas reading at my church. I’d written the story several times for previous plays, sometimes with lots of details, and other times with sketches of the story. I was stymied. How could I write it differently?
I asked God in prayer to help direct my thoughts. Then came the idea of highlighting the type of inner character found within each person in the biblical narrative. The time allotment allowed for only a brief presentation. Here is what I came up with. I share with you A Christmas Reading. I hope you enjoy it.
A Christmas Reading
A long time ago, in Bethlehem. . .
MARY:
The night seemed no different than the one before but something was afoot. The hustle and bustle of travelers making their way in and out of town made it busier than usual but this was expected according to the laws of the land which required their registering. She was tired. It had been a long day of traveling. Not easy for a woman ‘with child.’
A sense of urgency was upon her. Dear, kind, faithful Joseph, was finding it difficult to secure a room for the night. Her heart warmed at the thought. His actions had proven her man was honorable and God-fearing. Twinges came and went. Was her time at hand? That was an uncomfortable thought.
“Yes, Joseph? A stable?” Not what she would have picked, but it would have to do. There was no room to be had.
JESUS:
Hours later, she held her first-born son for the first time. She was amazed at his tiny fingers and toes as she counted them. All there! His sweet-smelling, newborn skin was soft. Joseph helped her swaddle this son they would raise together though the baby was not his son, but God’s, as amazing as that was. The angel had predicted this baby boy. They had named him Jesus, in keeping with the angel’s message.
Mary held her son tight and felt his warmth. How could this be? she thought as she beheld the holy babe, her son, Jesus, God in flesh, a miracle of all Miracles. The magnitude of this holy blessing flooded her soul, and she gave praise to God.
JOSEPH:
Joseph gazed at Mary. His heart grew warm inside him. She really was something! He thought back to how the angel had confirmed her story, their story. Her strong character was evident long before that. He knew people would not understand their story, and he didn’t expect them to. For him, it was an honor to stand by her side. He would be her protector. Their journey from this point on was not going be easy. But according to the prophecies, it would change the course of history.
Mary, kind, gentle Mary, innocent and chaste, a woman with trusting and godly behavior set her apart from the other young women. He knew she would always be strong and pure in heart. She looked as innocent as the baby she held. He marveled when her eyes met his. Tears of awe and love exchanged between them, a hint of a smile graced her lips as they both looked at the child now entrusted to their care.
SHEPHERDS and ANGELS:
On the hills nearby, a group of hard working men were watching the sheep settle down as the night air cooled and became crisp. These ordinary men, shepherds by trade, took their job seriously; making sure their flock was safe from harm. They had a healthy respect for the land, the animals, and God. The night was like the night before and like the next would be, too.
Suddenly, the sky filled with light. Its brightness was exceedingly brilliant. Startled and frightened, these shepherds felt fear jump in their throats. Their hearts pounded. Their bodies quaked. “What was this?”
“Fear not, I bring you tidings of great joy. For unto you is born this day in the City of David, a Savior, Who is Christ the Lord. You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” Then the sky filled with heavenly beings. Glorious angels, heralds, messengers of truth, their words showering God’s glory across the night sky. “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace, and good will to men.” It was a message meant for them—with a message for all people.
What glory! What a message! Yes, they must go and find this babe in a manger so they could worship Him. They made their way quickly, their faith in the message entrusted to them by the angels, sped them along as fast as they could go, to find the Christ-Child. With noble hearts, with gentle bearing, they entered the stable and knelt before their King as they honored The Christ, their God.
That wondrous night had more gifts to give. God was announcing to the world that his Son on whom the whole world’s future would hinge, had joined the human race as a baby, born into the world to fulfill His plan for their redeeming. Jesus Christ and Lord of All would be the hope and Redeemer through which eternity would be purchased for all humankind and was His gift to them. Through the obedient life of His Son their relationship with Him would be restored.
MAGI and KING HEROD:
A star in the East shone bright and clear. These wise, learned and astute men took note of it. This was most unusual, but they had waited with expectation. Discussion was undertaken. The magi, wise men, knew they had been summoned. They would follow the star for there was a message in the star. The journey was slow and arduous.
When they sought the promised child, King Herod was of no help. In fact, he had a forked tongue, speaking lies about his kingly intentions. They would seek the new King on their own.
The star took them to a humble abode. With holy reverence, the magi offered their precious gifts to the Christ child: gold, frankincense and myrrh. Gifts fit for a King. Their hearts filled with wonder as they worshiped the young child. This was the end of their quest—and it was the honor of a life time.
Son of God
The biblical Christmas story, the birth of Christ, was no less than spectacular, in epic proportions by human standards. By God’s standards, it was much, much more. The life of Jesus Christ, His birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension, changed, and will continue to change, the world.
Real life, in contrast to regular living, is experienced through spiritual transformation. That is what Christ came to give each one of us. Christ’s story becomes our story through the message of the cross. Jesus became the Savior of the world for you and for me. This old story becomes one that is new every day—for all who embrace our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Thank you for celebrating the birth of Christ, the real Christmas story, with me. May you enjoy the richness of this season.
