I just finished watching a video on line called “The Living Nativity” by SkitGuys at Youtube. It’s described as a hilarious and heartwarming mockumentary that tells the story of an actor performing in a living nativity, who takes his role way too seriously. The man is to play Joseph and indeed goes way overboard in preparing for his role. He wears the classic handmade costume and corny gray beard and practices on the street, at home, and, comparing his method acting to Brando, he actually suggests to his wife that they rent a donkey so he can know what it feels like to serve the mother of Jesus by leading her around town. As you can guess, she’s against the idea.

There’s not a serious thing about the nearly five-minute video until near the end. The couple’s baby son is to play the Christ child. All dressed and ready to go the first night of the performance, the man decides he can’t do it. Gazing upon his precious son, he states that if he were God, he couldn’t give up his son. The world would be out of luck.

Think about that for a moment. Think about the incredible amount of love God must have for you and me that He was able to forfeit his Son on our behalf. John 3:16 says that God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son.

My only son was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 11, and even though his prognosis was good, his life was threatened, and it nearly tore my heart out. To see him suffer through a year’s worth of treatments and all that goes with it was difficult to say the least. If I had known before his conception that all of that misery was to come for him, I might have decided his birth was not worth it; the sacrifice too great and all who have been touched by his life would be out of luck.

God knew all along the suffering and agony Christ would endure to be the sacrifice for our sins, yet He loved us enough to allow his birth. And Christ was willing to give his life on a cross, all because of love.

Have you felt this magnificent love of God? If you haven’t, you can. How do I know? I know because I have experienced it, along with countless others besides. It’s an indescribable feeling of pure joy and the best free gift you can receive. Don’t be like the guy in the video and go overboard in your preparation. Simply open your heart, speak to Him and accept his free gift of love. I guarantee it will be your best Christmas ever.

Kathy Mabie, lay person
Solon Center Wesleyan Church
15671-1/2 Algoma, Cedar Springs