December 6 Home Communicator – On Thanksgiving weekend, we have a tradition of digging into a box of Christmas books and movies with our boys and so begins the full-on anticipation of Christmas. One of my favorite little stories in our stash of Christmas books is about a little mouse who takes up residence in a nativity scene in the home in which he lives. Every night he clears out the little figurines, pushing aside the baby Jesus to settle into a cozy little manger bed. And every day, the family puts each figure back where it belongs.
On Christmas Eve, the little mouse hears the family retell the Christmas story. He learns that there was “no room for them in the inn ”. He hears how this baby he’s been pushing out would save the world and “make room” in heaven for those who believed in him. Feeling guilty, he commits to make room for the baby Jesus in the cozy manger bed by looking for another place to live.
From other stories about Santa and reindeer to numerous parties and gifts, there is no shortage of things ready to push Jesus aside this time of year. In this Christmas season, teachers at Hudsonville Christian are committed to keeping Jesus at the center. With events like the Love Bazaar, the Middle School Christmas Concert, the Elementary Christmas Celebration, and Christmas fundraisers, there is an intentional focus on knowing that this baby Jesus is the true reason for these special celebrations. In this busy Christmas season, may we all, like the little mouse, do what it takes to make room for Jesus to have center stage in our hearts.
In Christ alone, Katie VanTil – Nurturing Faith Coordinator
