Keeping Jesus out of the box.

My wife, Deborah, writes the weekly email to the church we serve. This week’s note was so profound I wanted to share it with you all…..

My kids are back in school and we are getting back into our daily routine. The tree is down, the lights are off, the ornaments are packed up and the nativity scene is safely wrapped and in its box. As we were putting things away and the kids were helping, we said, “Time to put Baby Jesus back in the box.” Of course we were talking about the ceramic Baby Jesus from our manger scene, but the phrase caught my attention.

How often do I put Jesus “back in the box.”  How many times am I too busy or too scattered or too tired to take time to be with Him? And I realized the answer to that was much more than I would care to admit.

This past Sunday, we wrote letters to God, reflecting on the year gone by, and full of hope for the year ahead. It’s one of my favorite New Year’s traditions. And I loved the reading plan that Tim presented.

Snack – Meal – Feast. It encouraged me. And challenged me. I may not always have time for a feast. But I can certainly fit in a meal. Or at least a snack. Knowing that without the nourishment of spending time in the Word and with my Lord, I will waste away spiritually. And while I can survive for a bit on a snack here or there, I recognize the need for a real meal. And sometimes a great feast! I don’t want to keep Jesus in a box in the garage. I want Him to be right in the middle of my day! And that is where my strength comes from!

Whatever you are facing, whatever may come your way during 2009, may you be fed and nourished by the Word.

Yesterday Deborah shared a response with me that came to her from one of the members of the church. It seems that years ago, this lady was putting Christmas decorations away with her family. Her little boy (now in his 20’s) didn’t want to ‘un-decorate’ Christmas. The mom told her son that he could pick one decoration to keep out…and he picked Jesus, because the boy did not Jesus to go away.  They were so touched that they not only kept their nativity scene out for the months that followed, but have left it out for over 2 decades. Whenever anyone comes to the house in July and asks about the display, they have an opening to share the reality of keeping Jesus in the middle of it all throughout the year.

Thanks for the note, Deborah! Let’s remember to keep Jesus front and center all throughout the year.