Thursday, December 5, 2024

HE’S ALIVE!

“So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” Luke 2:4-7. (NKJV).


"Places everyone." Susan, the new choir director,  checked the four and five-year-olds standing in their places. "Y'all look great," she whispered.

"Showtime!" Please let this Christmas pageant be memorable.

The angel choir stood on the risers and sang with gusto. Proud parents smiled, nudged one another. The narrator kept the story flowing as the pageant unfolded.

Susan smiled. So far, so good. 

A stirring from the back of the church? Mercy, a dog must’ve sneaked in. Folks shuffled to let it pass causing a ripple effect from back to front. 


As Mary and Joseph leaned over the manger, a head popped up from under the first pew, crawled over, and peeped in.

“He’s alive,” A little boy leaped to his feet. “He really is alive. Look, if you don’t believe me.” He startled the baby in the manger, little fists swatting the air as he cried.

Susan hurried over, grabbed her son. “So sorry. Didn’t mean to cause a fuss, but he fell asleep so I...” Applause and a standing ovation interrupted her. 

She looked at the congregation, then at the little boy who'd sounded the Good News. She knelt, her son in one arm, and extended her hand to the boy. 

"What's your name?"

"Ricky."

"Your announcement was perfect." And definitely memorable.

"Thank you, Ricky, for helping us with our Christmas pageant." She blinked away the excess moisture. 

He grinned a gap-tooth smile. "Welcome."

Kingdom Thinking. Life today, with wars and rumors of wars, causes fear and weariness. I have a choice--look at our problematic world or the Baby in the manger. He's Real. All God and all man. He lives, therefore I live. The Lord Jesus offers you the same. He loves you and promises never to forsake you. Won’t you receive Him? He’s alive!