Wednesday, November 18, 2020

Advent Devotional | Christmas Plays

Luke 2: 8-12 NIV 8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Nothing spreads as much fear and trepidation, to young parents as hearing that your child has a part in the upcoming Christmas play. Yep, all of us parents have been there. Wondering if your budding actor will be the shepherd that undresses in the middle of the wise men entrance, or if Mary will start crying because someone moved Baby Jesus. With us, it was watching Jonah place a choke hold on the stuffed sheep and praying that its head wouldn’t pop off during the play. Beastial decapitation is rarely included in the script, but alas it does happen. We all gather to watch these plays, rejoice, laugh and celebrate the joy of the Advent spirit of the season. No, the plays do not always go by the script, the live animals occasionally brought in for the occasion can give us a surprise, and young performers astound us with their improvisations, but the scripture and music provided give us all Hope and Joy for the season. As a Church, we all love to see the Christmas Play, it reminds us of how Jesus’ story began, yet sometimes we forget that Christ’s story began at creation. His birth with Mary and Joseph, in Bethlehem, was a part of our salvation story. Prayer: Heavenly Father, help us remember your plan of salvation for us. Help us to reach out to others who do not know you, and share with them love, compassion, and hope. Help us to alway be your children and respond to your word. Amen.