Baby Jesus breaks out of his box

Mary’s Monday Musings

Baby Jesus breaks Loose from His Box

            I finally finished packing away the last of the Christmas decorations.  I carefully wrapped each piece of the nativity scene in tissue, beginning with the wise men and finishing with the baby Jesus on his little stack of “hay”.  I placed him in the well worn box and closed the lid with reluctance. As I was thinking how putting Christmas décor away isn’t as much fun as putting the decorations out at the beginning of the Christmas season, a happy, clap-my-hands thought brought a great smile to my face. Jesus didn’t stay a little baby. He grew into a grown man whose life and death changed the world, including my personal life. He doesn’t live in a box in my attic. He lives every day in my heart. He’s eager to share my day with me. He’s eager to share your day with you. He came to earth in the form of humanity that we might better see God and fall in love with the grown-up Jesus, the Son of God who died for us.

The manger scene I put in my living room each December is just the beginning of a celebration I can participate in every day. I don’t have to pack away the celebration of Jesus. I can have the joy of the Christmas birth and the awe of the Easter resurrection every day without the fanfare of decorating, gift wrapping, baking preparations or consideration of the calendar date. I can run through my house laughing out loud, telling the roof and the walls that Jesus isn’t in a box. He lives and He loves me. He loves you. He knows me and you, every delightful and every regretful aspect of us. He’s more than I can envision. He’s greater than my largest thought. He’s kinder than I imagine. He’s more than my ability to comprehend. He is Lord. God help me, help each of us bask in Your love and character every day. Help my praise and love for You to abound.  Give us the wisdom of the wise men to find You, to worship You, and to trust You to guide the details of our every day.