This blizzard was not like our usual Idaho mountain storms.
Giant snowflakes muffled everything as their delicate crystalline structure collapsed and settled on the mounting ground cover. The cumulative sound of disruption generated a subtle, high-frequency squeak as we finished our evening chores. Night was coming with a heavy snow blanket. Mom hurried us to finish supper and get ready for the trek into town. We laughed with anticipation while dressing for the coming event.
It was Christmas, and we had arranged for a live manger scene at our little clapboard church—the oldest standing Presbyterian church west of the Mississippi. Builders had assembled the open shed from scrap lumber. We planned for real animals and even a live baby. The whole town of 250 citizens must have been excited, but snowfall would quickly make driving impossible. Finally, reaching the church lot, we saw a flock of chattering kids waiting around the shed.
The director had allotted two hours for the display and assigned the major roles. There were cries of disappointment from friends who hadn’t bothered to help us, wondering why they couldn’t participate in the drama since there was plenty of time.
Cars drove by as we assumed our places—the wise men, the shepherds, the angels, Joseph, Mary, and the baby Jesus in the manger. I heard comments coming through the rolled-down car windows like, “Look, Dad, there’s Jerry dressed up like a shepherd.”
Halfway through the presentation, I decided to give up my place as a shepherd, hoping better to appreciate the scene from the darkness near the road. As I looked, Mary took Jesus from the manger and held Him.
Overwhelmed by the incredible beauty and drama of the scene, I felt compelled to kneel in the snow for worship. God had really condescended to visit earth in the person of Jesus. I had to find, know, and worship this wondrous God. Eternity touched our little town that night as it did in Bethlehem so long ago. Jesus was revealing the Father, even to me. Eternity was calling.
God shows Himself in critical moments with life-changing consequences. Do you recognize and respond to His calls?
(photo courtesy of pixabay.com.)
(For more devotions, visit Christian Devotions.)
Kent Martin is a writer.