Blow Up Nativity

Practically Speaking

By C Wayne Childers

Blow Up Nativity

We were walking the halls of our church today admiring the Christmas decorations when Laurie pointed to a corner display and said; "Look!  A blow up Manger Scene." Sure enough there was Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus and some animals full of a steady stream of air. Very cool. A blow up manger scene. 

That phrase "blow up" is forbidden at an airport for obvious reasons. That is an example restricted free speech. You just don't say it even if it is used in a different context. We lost a special missionary to a terrorists bomb in the Philippines a few years back. There are people out there that just want to blow things up. It just has no meaning. Why? They want to create terror, fear? They want to intimidate to make a point? They want to be heard? I guess. 

We can also "blow up" or lose our temper. It happens. We lose it. We choose counterproductive responses to stressful situations. Most regret those lapses of judgment, emotional outbursts that alienate, and usually live with regrets even when reconciled. Blowing things out of proportion can create such blow ups. 

A manger scene blow up? I can get that. A display of the second greatest event in history. The virgin born son of God, Jesus and his earthly parents in an humble animal filled stable. You could not make this up. Strange but wonderful story. 

Jesus and his cousin John were in utero together. Their mother met during maternity and Luke a physician records an interesting phenomenon. It appears to be fetal communication. Yes, strange but affirming. The record reads: "When Elizabeth (John' mother) heard Mary's greeting the baby leaped in her womb." Luke 1:41 Such a God thing. Total affirmation of a plan. The two women spent three months together sharing pregnancy as first time moms. Sweet story. A baby alive in utero just another of the many affirmations of life before birth. John was John in utero. Jesus was Jesus in utero. It is just a subtle thought.

Oh such love on display. Two moms. Duet of morning sickness. Sharing the moments together. My wife was never more beautiful than when carrying our three wonderful babies. They are giving birth both having heard from an angel, not a normal thing. Both having boys not discovered by ultrasound but by revelation. That can get me ready for the blow up nativity.

Nativity literally means the "occasion of a person's birth." "The process or circumstances of a person's birth." There are so many circumstances in the birth of Jesus and during advent we focus on all the awesome lenses showing us the love of God. 

You cannot blow this story out of proportion. It is beyond human description. In a world of bombs he is the balm. This should be a Christmas song.

There is a balm in Gilead

To make the wounded whole;

There is a balm in Gilead

To heal the sin-sick soul.

Some times I feel discouraged,

And think my work’s in vain,

But then the Holy Spirit

Revives my soul again.

There is a balm in Gilead

To make the wounded whole;

There is a balm in Gilead

To heal the sin-sick soul.

If you cannot sing like angels,

If you can’t preach like Paul,

You can tell the love of Jesus,

And say He died for all.

He is the balm, the ice hot that soothes the sin sick soul. That's me. 

The first greatest day in history? The door rolled away from the tomb and he was born from death. He was delivered from the grasp of our greatest enemy. He is alive. He really is. 

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Holiday Cheer

Practically Speaking
By C. Wayne Childers

Holiday Cheer

Holidays make me sad. Or I choose sadness at holidays. I am not even sure how to express it. Sad happens when turkeys are prominent. 

This year my wife works. Nurses have to be available for sick folks. She may have to fish for a lodged wad of thanksgiving dinner. She gives relief to choking victims so be careful. That turkey could kill you. She is the scope lady.  "Procto" or proctology medicine. When you hear that word run. You don't want to see her or the staff. 

So I am home alone when the pilgrims and natives meet. Or I am finding in the next few days a unique way to do Thanksgiving. I have invited some international OSU students to hang with us and that may or may not happen. We offered. 

By the time you read this it will have happened. I am usually happy when it is over. I have a few projects on my wish list. I may or may not do those. Black Friday is out for me because the goodwill main store is probably closed. 

I am asking God for some casual encounters that lead to substantive healing conversations. I don't know what that looks like. I'll know when it happens. I wait.

My kids are with other loved ones and that gives me great joy. We share. 

So what's so cheerful about it? Holiday cheer is not always cheerful. It can be downright challenging. So what to do?

1. Start a new tradition by volunteering somewhere to do something that adds value.
2. Involve lonely individuals in your family event. Invite students, elderly without family, That dynamic might just make a new fun.
3. Go to a new place or just do something alone. Boycott for a year.
4. Get away from turkey and have a new menu.
5. Create games especially for children around the event.
6. Count your blessings. That should be number 1. 

Well I'm just thinking out loud. You probably have better ideas. Just think outside the box. Be creative. Stay away from the hospital. 

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