A small nativity has followed us around for years. The largest figure is barely an inch tall. Each character once had a small gold loop of thread and for many seasons they hung on a tiny tree that adorned my office desk. They are not the somber, awestruck crowd you find in most nativity scenes. Every character is smiling. Baby Jesus is smiling … even the animals. These are not little smiles, they are giant, swooping, ear to ear, face rearranging grins. If you ran into such a crowd of people, it would be difficult to not ask … “What are you all smiling about?” It’s an infectious little scene.
Israel anticipated and hoped for her promised Messiah. God had never failed to make good on His word … surely their faith was not in vain. But then came long years of silence, no prophetic words, no visible signs that He was working on their behalf. But today, we light the Candle of Joy and remember how the news of Messiah began to break through that silence …
To a young virgin … “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”
To her questioning groom … “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.”
To shepherds watching their flocks … “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord.
Good news of great joy … for all people! This season let’s be the people who carry that unquenchable joy. There’s an old saying, “Smile and the world will wonder what you’re up to.” They might also wonder what we know. Maybe our little nativity got Christmas right. Smiles all around!
