I was in a total panic! I looked in every drawer, underneath furniture and in the folded towels to no avail. I couldn't find baby Jesus!
As we excitedly pried off box lids and pulled out Christmas decorations each year, no item was more celebrated than the manger scene. I had purchased a set of soft, pliable plastic holy figures along with a wooden stable. The boys took great delight in setting up the scene. I would let them play with the entire set for a few days before "kidnapping" baby Jesus. He would remain hidden until Christmas morning.
We had a tradition each Christmas morning. The boys would hurry down the stairs, not to open presents, but to see if baby Jesus had been born. This melted my heart every year! Then we would light candles and read the Christmas story from the Bible. Lastly, we would sing Happy Birthday to Jesus. We had so much fun opening presents after this!
About five years into this tradition I was in a panic searching on Christmas Eve for the baby Jesus toy. I could not believe I had forgotten where I had hidden it! That Christmas morning we had to use our imagination. I was more upset than the boys were. And if I remember correctly, it wasn't until the next year that baby Jesus was found. From that point on, he was hidden in the same spot every year. Over the years I have learned how to hide Jesus in my heart, where I continually treasure Him! (Psalm 119:9-16)
What are some traditions you used with your children? I'd love to hear your response on Facebook!
"And there were shepherds living out in the field nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
"Glory to God in the Highest Heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests."
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen Him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.
The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told." (Luke 2:8-20)