"Putting Jesus In The Attic"

                                            
                                       

This year's outdoor nativity set was different than the previous years for us at the Lee home.  Something was wrong with the electrical cords for Mary and Joseph so only baby Jesus "lit up".    Although the set didn't work like it was supposed to I tried to make something positive and spiritual out of the situation telling the boys that this was the way these outdoor sets should be anyway as only Jesus is the "light of the world".  Okay, so maybe that is a bit of a stretch to justify the bad wiring, but hey, it seemed to work.

A few days after Christmas I put Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus away in the attack of the garage for another year and something just did not seem right about it.  There is something inside me that feels very sac-religious and almost hypocritical each year when I hide Jesus away again.  This year I began to think about the reality of putting away the "lit Jesus".  Somehow it seemed that there was a lesson to be found in what I was doing.

Interesting that every year around Christmastime most of the world thinks about Jesus more than most any other time of the year.  Typically empty churces are often filled on the weekend before Christmas and most certainly on Christmas Eve.  Billboards and signs that normally promote the things of this world now host messages about the Savior of the world.   All of this amazes me but it is people, their kind deeds, and generosity in the name of the Lord that impresses me the most.  I can't help but to think, what if 'Jesus shined' like this year round. 

And then I remember that He does shine year round.  He shines through his people all of the time.  Well at least he should.  Jesus said in Matthew 5:14-16 "Ye are the light of the world.  A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.  Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; nor does it give light unto all that are in the house.  Let your light shine before men, that they SEE YOUR GOOD WORKS, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."

I shared this scripture with my three boys.  It was a great reminder to us that although I put away the nativity for another year, Jesus will continue to SHINE through his people throughout 2012.  Suddenly I didn't feel so bad for putting Jesus away in the attic one more time.  The truth is, His light still shines.  He shines through our kindness.  He shines through our words and deeds.  He shines through our love for each other.  So today I challenge you both father and son, to let your light SHINE! 


ACTIVITY FOR THE WEEK


Do a good deed together as father and son(s).