Rebecca Carpenter

            The cave was quiet.  The visitors were gone.  Light was creeping into the darkness as a new day began.  The jubilance of the actual birth, the unusual bright light, the chorus of angels, and the visit by the humble shepherds diminished as the young couple faced the enormity of caring for the new baby.  They had to provide food, clothing, warmth, and safety to the tiny child in a strange environment.  There were so many questions to be answered.  How long would they stay in the stable?  Where would they find a suitable place to live?  Should they remain in Bethlehem or return to Nazareth?  Would more visitors come to see the baby?  As marvelous as it was the night Jesus was born, they had to return to the mundane tasks of everyday life.  That memory would be with them as Jesus grew and they followed God’s plan for their lives.  They were obedient even when they did not understand.

            It is easy to feel let down after the excitement and pageantry of the Christmas season.  When the lights, trees, and decorations are gone and the carols are silenced, there is often a sense of loss, sadness, and emptiness.  However, as we re-enter our normal routines, we can savor the joy and hope of Christmas and allow that spark to ignite the world around us.

            The captivating olive wood nativity set dominated the coffee table.  Each figure exposed the rich, dark grain of the extraordinary wood from Israel.  The simple shapes contained no details so my imagination could supply the thoughts and feelings of each one. 

            Bright sunlight glistened off each character like the special Christmas star must have done.  Mary and Joseph stood behind the baby with their heads bowed slightly.  Joy and awe glowed from their faces as they marveled at the sleeping, miracle child in the plain manger. Two cows and two sheep lounged nearby with their bodies curved comfortably and their eyes focused on the intruder in their feeding trough.  Somehow they sensed that he would not harm them so they waited patiently.  Two wise men gazed at the newborn king from the left of the stable.  One stood regally wearing a crown while clutching the gift to his side. The other one knelt reverently with his treasure held close to his heart with both hands.  Thankful that they had reached their destination, they felt wonder and surprise that the king was a baby.  Standing behind them was their faithful camel still wearing his saddle with twin vaselike containers which had held the precious gifts during the endless journey.  His head was raised toward the sky as he prepared to announce the astonishing news.  Opposite the wise men were two humble shepherds in common clothing with no gifts at all.  One knelt with his hands folded in prayer as he faced the holy child.  Tears of astonishment and joy streamed down his face because of the spectacle before him.  Curled at his feet was a tiny lamb staring at the Lamb of God before him.  

            When I dusted the nativity set, I must have inadvertently moved the second shepherd.  His back was to me as he stared into the distance behind Mary and Joseph.  He looked over the head of his friend.  What was he looking for?  Did he hear an unusual noise?  Was he searching for his other companions? Did he see the third wise man?  Was he making sure that his sheep were safe?  All of those possibilities were good reasons to be distracted.  However, none were worth missing the wonder and majesty of the miracle in front of him.  While he was preoccupied with mundane matters, a magnificent, life changing event was right in front of him.  Yes, he was physically there, but he was not engaged in the supernatural present before him. 

            As I thought of each character in the nativity scene, I wondered where I fit.  During various times and circumstances in my life, I have been in several of them.  I have prayer and worshiped Him.  I have been in His presence with awe and thanksgiving.  However, I have probably been the lone shepherd more than I would like to admit.  When I become distracted by everyday events, I will think of the puzzled shepherd who was so busy that he missed the gift.  Maybe that shepherd was not positioned their accidentally after all but to teach me a lesson. 

            Remember to fully engage in the special gift right in front of you not only just at Christmas but all year. Merry Christmas.     

            Being sidelined by pneumonia this year has given me a different perspective on Christmas.  I used to decorate the house with a tree, wreaths, decorations in each room, and lights inside and out.  I would write in each Christmas card, bake cookies and breads for neighbors and friends, spend hours shopping, attend parties, have friends over, attend concerts and wear myself out because I had always done those things.  I loved experiencing all of it, but sometimes it became more of a chore than a joy.  During the last few years, I had scaled back on many Christmas activities—less decorating, fewer presents, not as much baking, and only a few cards but still was busy during the month of December.

            However, this year I have done almost nothing compared to previous years.  The doctor’s instructions to just rest had left me frustrated because I had so many things that I had planned to do.  While being down, I realized that I could still write, send cards, call friends and family members, create ornaments for shut-ins, and contribute to worthy causes.  I also spent time reading and watching numerous Christmas movies on tv.  After watching several of them, I noticed a common theme—someone does not have the holiday spirit, others help them find it, Santa appears, and they are all happy at the end.  Several were rather entertaining but where was Jesus?  A few movies had a token church service, but the true meaning of Christmas was absent.  How sad that so many people do not know it or maybe do not care.

            I looked around the house at the lack of decorations.  I had wanted to delve into the boxes but just did not have the energy.  One day I did unwrap the olive wood nativity set that we bought in Israel.  I carefully placed it on the coffee table in the family room where I could see it each day as I rested on the couch.  I still miss the other decorations, but the nativity set reminds me of the real reason for Christmas.  It is not crowded out by other decorations but is prominently displayed on the entire table.  There are no trees or brilliant lights to distract from the simple, wooden figures that represent the birth of Jesus.  By missing all of the hoopla of Christmas, I was reminded of the true reason for the season.   Have a blessed Christmas as you remember the true meaning of Christmas.

            As I read about Jesus’ birth in Matthew and Luke, I thought of the unrest of the people and occupation by the Roman soldiers.  Life was not easy for citizens of Israel then. Unfortunately, circumstances have not improved for many groups of people since that time.  War continues in Iraq and Afghanistan with casualties on all sides.  Civil wars rage around Africa with refugees huddled in deplorable conditions and starvation a constant threat.  Millions of all ages are held in slavery with little or no hope of freedom.  Terrorists strike out with hate on six continents.  Christians in numerous countries are persecuted for their faith.  Each day crimes are reported on the news with murders rising. With all the horrible news, it is easy to feel these situations are hopeless.  Why has God allowed this to happen?
 

            I read the poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow written when he was in the midst of personal tragedy during the Civil War.  He was in despair about the death by fire of his wife, the wounding of his son in the war, the responsibility of taking care of five children, and the war that was tearing the United States apart.  The words of his poem began with discouragement but ended with hope.  When I had sung the song, I had only sung the first stanzas and really did not think much about the words.  However, knowing the background for the poem, gave it more meaning.  The words are as relevant today as when they were written over a hundred years ago.  We have no answers for why God allows such misery and injustice, but there is hope.  “God is not dead, nor doth He sleep.”  During the Christmas season, I will remember those words when I feel overwhelmed by the trials of the world.  Jesus’ birth does give us hope “with peace on earth, good will to men.”
 

I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

Till ringing, singing on its way
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good will to men.
 

 
            Mist rose across dark peaks obscuring the summits. Various hues of green covered each hill with only a smattering of white and pastel buildings dotting the landscape. Huge, gray boulders outlined the shore along the docks.  A towering, metal crane and the lofty, white masts of numerous sailboats emerged from behind the rocks. Colorful buildings topped by red, white, and gray roofs snuggled together along the blue water and crept up the nearby hills. The gray, stone tower of an old church stood sentry over the city. The tip of a nearby peninsula was formed by dark, rocky cliffs highlighted with lush, green vegetation. A lone palm tree waved from the point—a hairy head against a blue sky while gigantic rocks jutted out into the azure waters of the Caribbean Sea. Twinkling waves sparkled below filmy, white clouds which were painted across the bright, blue sky. As the breeze drifted across the ship’s deck, grayish puffs of clouds raced from the island to the open water.
 

            Earlier in the day, the scene had changed quickly and dramatically as dark, gray clouds enveloped the tall peaks in only a few minutes. Like a curtain closing at the end of the act, boats disappeared before our eyes.  Rain and fog transformed the colorful picture into a dreary bleakness.  After only a momentary break, the curtain rose, and the second act began. Sun twinkled over the aqua water, dark hills, and shimmering boats.  During an hour’s time, the curtain had risen and fallen over St. Kitts three times as the play in the harbor progressed.  St. Kitts was just one stop in our two week voyage around the Caribbean.
            Our vacation had begun in Ft. Lauderdale as family and friends had arrived from around Florida, Indiana, Ohio, and Alaska. What a wonderful time we had as we reconnected while some met for the first time.  Twelve family members spent two weeks laughing, talking, reminiscing, and making wonderful memories. What a blessed time we had!