Rusty Kennedy
Who Stole Baby Jesus?This Christmas season has proved to be very eventful for my family. We typically travel home to Tulsa where both Michelle and I were raised. The day we were scheduled to make the drive home we discovered that my sister was going to have surgery. The good news is that we were able to pray for her all day as we drove home and God answered our prayers and the surgery was successful. My sister is now home and recovering well.
But here is the interesting story... The day after our arrival to Tulsa we made our way to the St. Francis Hospital to see my sister. As we entered the lobby, my two children were attracted to the oversized nativity scene that consumed the room. Chloe looked down at the manger and immediately bellowed, "Someone stole Baby Jesus!!!!" Sure enough... Baby Jesus was missing!!! My first thought was, "How could anyone do that? That is just whacked!" Instantly I started thinking about sermon illustrations... 1) Maybe someone really needed Jesus 2) Jesus is out there waiting to be found and 3) Maybe Jesus being gone is causing people to inquire!
We proceeded to the 8th floor to see my sister and then I took my kids down to the chapel. It was the same chapel that my first grade teacher lit a candle for me when I was sick in that hospital back in 1971. We walked over to the nativity scene that was at the front of the chapel and would you believe it? Baby Jesus was missing there too! Are you kidding me? Who would steal multiple dolls of Jesus? Is there not anything sacred anymore?
As we made our way out of the hospital, I noticed the security guard sitting at the information desk. Of course you know what I am thinking... "Dude! If you were doing your job right then Baby Jesus wouldn't be missing!" I couldn't just walk by and say nothing! I was appalled! So I inquisitively asked the security guard, "Who is stealing all the Baby Jesus' around your hospital?" He looked up from his magazine and gave me one of those "stupid-idiot" looks and said, "Sir, no one has stolen Baby Jesus... It's not Christmas yet... Baby Jesus hasn't been born yet!" I smiled back and said, "That's good... never would have guessed that one!"
I've pondered that one a while. So, I guess they pack Jesus up at the end of the year and He only makes his one week appearance every year. It sure is great to know that my Jesus is alive and well and has taken up residence in my living body. I can celebrate Christmas everyday of my life knowing that God incarnate came to earth as a sacrifice for my sins and made me righteous. That is the Good News of Christmas. The only thing that is missing... my sin... not Baby Jesus!
Rusty
Christmas Day has come!
But here is the interesting story... The day after our arrival to Tulsa we made our way to the St. Francis Hospital to see my sister. As we entered the lobby, my two children were attracted to the oversized nativity scene that consumed the room. Chloe looked down at the manger and immediately bellowed, "Someone stole Baby Jesus!!!!" Sure enough... Baby Jesus was missing!!! My first thought was, "How could anyone do that? That is just whacked!" Instantly I started thinking about sermon illustrations... 1) Maybe someone really needed Jesus 2) Jesus is out there waiting to be found and 3) Maybe Jesus being gone is causing people to inquire!
We proceeded to the 8th floor to see my sister and then I took my kids down to the chapel. It was the same chapel that my first grade teacher lit a candle for me when I was sick in that hospital back in 1971. We walked over to the nativity scene that was at the front of the chapel and would you believe it? Baby Jesus was missing there too! Are you kidding me? Who would steal multiple dolls of Jesus? Is there not anything sacred anymore?
As we made our way out of the hospital, I noticed the security guard sitting at the information desk. Of course you know what I am thinking... "Dude! If you were doing your job right then Baby Jesus wouldn't be missing!" I couldn't just walk by and say nothing! I was appalled! So I inquisitively asked the security guard, "Who is stealing all the Baby Jesus' around your hospital?" He looked up from his magazine and gave me one of those "stupid-idiot" looks and said, "Sir, no one has stolen Baby Jesus... It's not Christmas yet... Baby Jesus hasn't been born yet!" I smiled back and said, "That's good... never would have guessed that one!"
I've pondered that one a while. So, I guess they pack Jesus up at the end of the year and He only makes his one week appearance every year. It sure is great to know that my Jesus is alive and well and has taken up residence in my living body. I can celebrate Christmas everyday of my life knowing that God incarnate came to earth as a sacrifice for my sins and made me righteous. That is the Good News of Christmas. The only thing that is missing... my sin... not Baby Jesus!
Rusty
Christmas Day has come!
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