Shar's stuff... thoughts and musings..

This is a post I have on my old blog from 2005, I found it and thought it might be something that would help me to remember how a real Christmas feels. I'm sort of rushed lately and the idea of the HOLIDAYS are a bit daunting. It's so easy to get caught up already in the business of making Christmas perfect, and spending like there is no tomorrow. So, please forgive me for getting a little ahead of myself and the season..

I can only try to go back and relive that moment and feelings I had.... try and put it into words again.... just to keep it for remembering...

We are members of a little Foursquare Church that has struggled for a while to grow, but we've made such dear friends there... we started this amazing tradition of putting on a Live Nativity each year.. this was a post that still makes me feel the undescibable sense of God's presence, the Love He has for us all...

Post Christmas, 2005..
Our Live Nativity was amazing again this year....I have to recall last year's little miracle first, though. It set the stage for every other year, because we knew God was with us...
It was raining, both nights, the drops of water glistening in the lights on the "stable". Hurriedly,everyone was preparing to start the little reeanactment of Jesus' entry as the perfect Son of God so many years ago. Just as the tiny "angels" came on the scene, the rain stopped. We held our collective breath as the story unfolded, watching in wonder as the words from John were spoken..... ancient, yet always fresh, telling the Christmas story. As the closing moments came, and we all moved inside for refreshments and fellowship, the skies opened up again with a hard rain.... and stopped again, the same way at each performance. How does one explain that???
This year we wanted to offer our neighbors a place to come and be reminded of God's Gift to us all again. It was 2 nights, with an enthusastic, smiling cast and supporters. Little kids playing angels "hovering" in white, Mike as a shepard, and Steve as a wise man, treasure in hand. The little pony making soft pony noises, as if he wanted to let us all know he was watching. Little "Baby Jesus", aka Justin, playing with a piece of straw from the ground, so sweet; he was perfect in the part. His little cheeks pink with the cold, and his chubby hands reaching out to explore the face of "Mary". The feeling of wonder as we again re-enacted the Nativity in the little "stable", erected on a grassy space (by our awesome resident carpainter, Don Sykes) in the church yard; an imaginary Bethlehem.. Imagining what it really must have been like to welcome the Christ Child that first Christmas. Nothing could touch that occurance, the angels and the worshipers all paying homage to the Son of God... Wish we could have all been there... Those of us who stood there in the chilly night smiled and felt His presence, felt a quiet joy. Thanks to all of you who were there.... Love to you....Mike, Steve, Mary, the Munoz's, the Barretts.. all our church family.
Christmas is over now, and I feel a tiny bit sad, but it was a time of love and closeness for me and mine.. I hope it was for you, also. If not, I pray this new year will bring you into a place where you can know God's presence and peace. He's always there to be born anew in our hearts and lives each moment.Love and God bless...
Shar