Manger Gazing

Years ago, I was an Associate Pastor for family ministry. As such, one of my responsibilities was the annual Christmas pageant. Directing such an event is certainly not for the faint of heart or weak in spirit. It was an annual test of my faith and fortitude. Challenges included---but were certainly not limited to---every parent wanted their child in the pageant, but all were too busy to attend the desperately needed rehearsals. The costumes were ancient, but could not be replaced because the saint who made them 30 years earlier was still a member of the congregation and no one wanted to hurt her feelings. The shepherds, mostly boys, and the angels, all girls, did not want to stand near each other. And so it went each year,a mad and oddly joy-filled free-for-all.

One unforgettable occasion, a little boy was supposed to read the prophesy from Isaiah 11:1-10 filled with beautiful promises such as, "The wolf shall live with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the kid, the calf and the lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them." Instead of reading Isaiah's promise, the child read the same verses from the book of Daniel (Lord only knows why). So as the baby Jesus doll laid in the manger, the narrator read, "At that time, I Daniel, had been mourning for three weeks. I had eaten no rich food, no meat or wine had entered my mouth, and I had not anointed myself at all for the full three weeks. . . My strength left me, and my complexion grew deathly pale, I retained no strength. . .I fell into a trance, face to the ground."

Mortified as the director, I felt my strength leave me and my complexion must have grown deathly pale. I sat in the front pew wishing that I could fall into a trance, face to the ground, but no such luck was to be had that Christmas Eve. In fact, Joseph, obviously bored with Mary and the baby, went to go hang out with his far more interesting friends, the shepherds. The shepherds had learned that one could "hook" an angel with their shepherd hooks and so they tormented the angels behind them. There was no peace in that Bethlehem scene. Just pushing and shoving amongst the angels and shepherds, a Joseph that had lost his focus, and a narrator reading words of doom instead of promise. The only exception to the nightmare was Mary. Sweet, amazing Mary somehow managed to ignore the frenzy around her to stare intently at the Madame Alexander baby doll as if it were truly the baby Jesus. Though I do not remember the child's name, I have never forgotten her inspiring tenacity. It was a Christmas gift that has returned to me each year.

The image of that lone child surrounded by a wild cast of characters portrays God's call to each of us during the Christmas season. We listen for Christ's promise, even when words of doom are proclaimed by a misguided soul. We keep our focus even if someone who is supposed to stand beside us decides to wander off into mischief. We remain calm and keep our balance as we kneel before prince of peace, instead of getting "hooked" by the bad behavior of others.

The world could use some more Marys. Both the Mary in the Bible and the little girl who gave an Academy-Award-winning performance in that Christmas pageant. For it is the Marys of the world who allow Christ's love to be born on earth---even in the midst of chaos and brokenness. Mary is the one who says, "Let it be with me according to your word."---instead of according to the frenzy surrounding me. This Christmas season, I am going to try to be more like Mary. Even if the miracle of the Christmas story doesn't unfold seamlessly or perfectly in my life, I am going to fix my gaze upon the Christ child.

May God bless each of us with the willingness and courage to gaze upon the promise of Christ throughout the Advent Season. For the miracle of Christmas comes not from directing others to behave in a way that pleases us. The miracle of Christmas comes from pointing our gaze toward the manger of divine love, no matter how badly others are acting. So come, let us adore him so that God's gifts of peace, love and joy can unfold on earth.