So the giraffe fell asleep. The giraffe, you know, the one that was to appear in our manger scene. I guess when you picture the manger scene you don't usually picture a giraffe among the cows and the sheep welcoming the baby Jesus. But, little Noah had been a giraffe for Halloween and already had the costume. Just like Milo who had been a turtle for Halloween and also was to appear in the manger scene. Who knew, a turtle and a giraffe. However, as I was saying, the giraffe fell asleep. So quickly there was a cast change and the sleeping former giraffe become baby Jesus. Mary and Joseph were his real mom and dad in real life, so it worked. Milo, the turtle became a bit grumpy as we began to put on his costume but his grumpiness was nothing that a cupcake couldn't remedy. Grace the angel was a bit shy and our hope of three shepherds quickly became two. Sometimes putting on a costume doesn't sound as much fun to a child as it does to us, the adults. Anyway, as the story was read and each character appeared it was simply adorable. They all made it in their costumes. Well, except for the one shepherd. They all were present and accounted for. Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, Milo the turtle, the shy angel and two little shepherds. It was a lovely sight, bumps and mishaps and all.
All we really hope to do is make a picture for little ones and even big ones to remember. Churches and houses of worship all over the world put on this scene at Christmas. No matter the size of the church, or the number in the cast, the story is the same. Whether costumes are sewn from fine cloth, or we just use bathrobes, the story is the same. Real animals or fake, yep the same. We don't need to play with the story or enhance it or put a new slant on it, the fact that it remains the same is what brings us hope and promise. This "story" is our life and reality. This baby, born to be our savior is what we base our everyday existence on. His grace is what we humbly accept, his love demonstrates how we are to be and His wisdom we daily seek. So, we keep repeating this scene. With the blunders and mistakes and with humble hearts praying that someone sees it in a way that they never have. In a way that they would realize that this savior is someone they just can't live without. All craziness aside, that is always the hope.