The decorating committee had just finished their beautification of
the Sanctuary for the Christmas Season. All the greenery and bells
and lovely bows were in place and on the altar was placed the
creche with Mary and Joseph, all the animals, and in the manger lay
the Baby Jesus. Satisfied with their work, the members of the
Committee closed the Sanctuary door and left for home. The Church
remained beautiful and inspirational for the season and for
Christmas Day.
The day after Christmas, the Pastor arrived at the Church rather
late, having visited those in the hospital before going to his
church. He walked into the Sanctuary, and again looked at all the
beautiful work the people had done, but noticed that the Baby Jesus
was not lying in the manger. He couldn’t imagine what the trouble
was; he knew Jesus had been placed in the manger and had been there
Christmas Day. He looked everywhere, wondering what could have
happened, but could not find Him. He raised his head and gazed out
the window, and there, in the church courtyard, was little Bobby.
Bobby was pulling a shiny, new, red wagon – and inside the wagon,
there He was – the Baby Jesus!
Pastor went out and spoke to Bobby. “I noticed Baby Jesus was
missing from the manger, Bobby,” commented the Pastor, “and now I
see that you have him in your wagon. Would you like to explain to
me why you removed him from the Church?” “Well, Pastor,” Bobby
said, “before Christmas I prayed to the Lord for a shiny, new, red
wagon, and I promised Him that he saw fit to get me one, I would
give Him a ride. I had to keep my promise because He keeps His
promises to me. I will put Him back in His manger now; he has had a
long ride.”
Luke 18:17 Jesus said, “Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not
receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter
therein.”