Lessons From A Live Nativity

A few days ago my son, along with many of his friends in our church youth group, volunteered at a retirement center. The center was having a grand holiday party with a beautiful buffet, family visiting, horse drawn carriage rides, and photos with Santa. The youth volunteers all got costumes of some kind and little jobs. Some were elves greeting, working at the carriage ride, or helping Mr. and Mrs. Clause, there was a tall snowman, and a handful were going to be a lovely live nativity at the entrance. 

My son was given shepherd robes, a giant candy cane that had been wrapped in brown paper to make it a crook, a few directions, and a chair covered in burlap on a bed of hay. 

These were the directions, "sit still and adore Jesus." :) It made me laugh!  

Of course as soon as we left the house to do this little chore he got a horrible headache in the car, so I gave him all his essential oils, over the counter meds and (don't be to harsh on this old mom) an energy drink. By the time he was dressed and in position he was the antsiest shepherd with a medium level headache. 

Another mom (the Angel, and Mary's to be exact) and I sat in her van across from the nativity and talked for the two hours the kids were stationed there. We also kept an eye on the kiddos. 

It wasn't long until I noticed my shepherds scarf was slipping off and the rope to hold it on was on the ground. I ran over to re-arrange him and realized that he had worked loose the brown paper on his cane turned crook and the red and white stripes were peeking through in spots. 

He needed adjusted a few more times before the evening was over. As the sun began to set it got cold, the poor little angel perched above everyone was amazing and being so still because she was frozen in position. Joseph sank lower and lower in the hay along with the setting sun, and poor Mary got a major charlie horse from being so good and still. 

It was a very successful night anyway. Many took pictures of the nativity and with them. The kids did great! They were cheerful and sweet. All the residents at the center enjoyed the costumed kids.  I will say 3 of our elves were reminiscent of Elf in that they were close to 6 foot or taller! 

We would run out check on the kids (hide their sneakers in the hay) and remind them "Just adore Jesus." 

As I drove home my hyper, head-achy shepherd. It really hit me. We are so hyper this time of year (we give ourselves headaches), yet we are supposed to be still and just adore Jesus. Let's enjoy the presence of the One who is Peace personified. 

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 

Isaiah 9:6