A Child is Born and Child-Like Faith

A Child is Born and Child Like Faith

One of my fondest memories, as a child, was memorizing a Christmas poem for my church’s Children’s Christmas Program. It may have been the simplest of words “Christmas is a time of joy. It started with a baby boy. He came to save us from our sins. Won’t you let him be your friend?” But those words resonated in my young soul. It meant practicing our poems and the songs we would sing at the program, as well as getting our costumes made or borrowed for the Nativity Play. Then the big night came when I, along with the other children, would sing in the Children’s Choir and hold up acrostic letters that spelled J-E-S-U-S and recite our poems that themed the birth of Jesus. There would always be a re-enactment of Mary and Joseph traveling to Bethlehem, arriving at the stable, placing a baby doll in the manger and the angels appearing to the shepherds. Then the grand finale came when the shepherds and wise men bowed down and worshiped the newborn king.

This exciting night of children being children with bloopers and blunders and little ones waving at their parents and boys with shirts untucked from their pants, that all culminated with the reward of a paper bag filled with an orange, an apple and hard candy for each child. It was the best reward EVER!

We got it right back then – everything exciting started and finished with the birth of Jesus. Maybe it was because I was a child with very few responsibilities. After all, I only had to memorize some lines in a poem and pose as an angel at the manger scene, but now I think, in the middle of the busyness, the to-do lists and a loaded up calendar, that we’re missing that simplistic approach to Christmas. Maybe I knew so much more than I do now. Because what I remember from those times, more than anything else, is the feeling of the wonder of realizing that sweet little baby boy, Jesus, came for me.

Maybe it’s because the older I get. the simpler I desire my life to be.. The reality that Jesus came for me and all He wanted in return was for me to love Him back, seems like the answer to it all. I started complicating things. Somehow, the Christmas story was more about what I do -- decorating my home to look like a Christmas Store, finding the perfect gifts, how well I can tie bows, making all my Christmas cookies, choosing the perfect outfit and making sure the table is set just right.

But the angels didn’t say, “Good news! You get to try hard. You get to wear yourself out. You get to make sure you have it all together.” Instead they declared: “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. (Luke 2:10-11)

Great joy! A Savior! For us! This reminds me that the heart of Christmas has always been about two things: A child in a manger and childlike faith. I sang "Away in a Manger" with my childlike faith and I believed it. “I love Thee Lord Jesus, look down from the sky, and stay by my cradle till morning is nigh. Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay, close by me forever, and love me, I pray. Bless all the dear children, in Thy tender care and take us to Heaven to live with Thee there.”

Childlike faith is not about hustle; it’s about humility. It’s not about perfection; it’s about grace. It’s not about effort; it’s about extravagant love. Maybe we could all go back to the simpler, easier, less stressful way of celebrating this most beautiful night when Christ was born. Maybe we could sit in our living rooms on a silent night. Maybe we could read the story again and remember the version we understood long ago -- the one that’s still true today. Jesus came. We are loved. We love Him back. That is all that really matters.

From This Day Forward

We're in Atlanta at last -- celebrating the love and marriage of my firstborn grandson, Braden Wuerch and his darling fiancee, Ruth Hays. Last night was the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner -- hosted by Ryan Wuerch and Shawntel Wuerch. It was quite the spectacular affair that included not only the wedding party, but also out of town family and friends -- from Canada, Japan, Germany, and around the U.S. What a beautiful night we had. Lots of photo opts with our precious Braden and Ruth, and I finally got to meet Ruth's parents and siblings (they're triplets) for the first time -- as well as all those beautiful people who love Ruth and Braden so much. Our precious Shawntel was the hostess with the mostest -- The Crossing, a former train station, was turned into a romantic, warm, floral and candlelit haven. Braden and Ruth's favorite love songs were played by a talented musician and singer. It was a delightful night for making memories, as well as remininiscing (a video of Braden and Ruth made by Ruth's sister was played), with an incredible 5-course meal.

I'll never forget the Christmas just after my husband had passed away in November 2010. Braden was always on the phone with Ruth -- almost non-stop over the holidays. Last night Ryan talked about the night they met just a few weeks before and they couldn't keep their eyes off of each other. It seemed like just a "crush" at the time, but here we are six years later, at last watching them so much in love, and today they'll tie the knot....officially, as husband and wife. I'll admit I've been longing and praying for this day as I watched these two be inseparable even though they attended two separate colleges, lived in different states, and pursued their dream vocations. They did it and now starting their lives forever together. I like to think that this marriage is a match made in heaven.....with the help of my sweetheart (Papa). Papa sure loved Braden -- so why not put in a good word -- after all, his prayers MUST be stronger there than here. ;-)

Last night was about the rehearsal before this big day. Like other young couples they have dreamed about this day. I remember way back when -- that I told Braden "Find yourself a Spanish senorita and the two of you will make beautiful babies!" LOL! He did. These two love each other like crazy. You see it in their big beautiful eyes and you sense that this is a FOREVER LOVE!

Now, with great expectations they will begin their lives together. I'm so faith-filled that I believe their loving, thriving, helping-each-other-reach-their-full-potential relationship will be blessed by God. Tonight I'll shed a few tears -- I just know it. That's what Nanas get to do. Another rite of passage is taking place today. It will be with my prayers and my blessings. I wrote that on a little note yesterday. "Keep God at the Center of your marriage and you will go the distance together -- so blessed "FROM THIS DAY FORWARD!"