You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. – Matthew 5:14 – 16
The Christmas story is one that is told over and over again, to people young and old. While there is certainly much that can be dissected, mulled over, and discussed from the Christmas story that we find in each of the Gospels, I think it’s a story that is worth looking at through the eyes of a child.
When we tell children about Christmas, we tend to stick to a few simple truths. God chose Mary to give birth to baby Jesus. He sent Jesus into the world because He loves us.
He chose Mary – an ordinary girl, by most standards, to carry and give birth to baby Jesus. But don’t you think that if God used Mary, a mere human just like you and me, to carry out such a special purpose, he might just use us to carry out His mission as well? It seems like a high calling, but Jesus reminded us in the scripture above that we are called to live our lives in a way that shares God’s glory and grace with those around us.
God sent Jesus into the world because He loves us. It seems too simple, maybe even too good to be true. But when we explore the Christmas story through a child’s eyes, we are reminded of the simple truths that are so integral to our faith.
Morgan Jones, Director of Welcoming Ministry
