A Christmas Journey: A Christmas Eve Service of Candles and Carols
Devotional
A Christmas Journey
A Collection of Resources for Advent and Christmas
Object:
The Missing Jesus
Through a child's eyes, the weekend after Thanksgiving was magical. The house changed from a place where we lived to a Christmas wonderland. Outdoor decorations appeared as homes were trimmed in colorful lights. Inside, the Christmas tree was decorated while carols played on the stereo. Garland graced the banister while the stockings were hung over the fireplace. Christmas mugs replaced the coffee cups and the aromas of Christmas baking filled the house. There was just one thing left to do: the Nativity.
With great care, the pieces were unwrapped and set into place. The donkey and sheep would be rearranged countless times. The Magi were moved until their place was just right. Joseph and Mary were placed on either side of the manger. The final piece, the baby Jesus, was laid to rest in swaddling cloths. By evening, Jesus was missing!
An all-out search was launched. Every member of the family was assigned a specific area. There was a passionate determination to find the missing Jesus. After all, what good is a Nativity with no Jesus? What seemed like an eternity passed when an excited voice declared, "I found him!" Would you believe that Jesus was hiding in the plants?
This was the first of many searches for the missing Jesus. Sometimes we would find Jesus behind the recliners, other times under the pillow of our two-year-old, but mostly he had Jesus with him! That year a journey of spiritual significance was brought to life by a "missing Jesus." In the midst of all the preparations, we lost Jesus. But in seeking Jesus, we found the Son of God!
Through a child's eyes, the weekend after Thanksgiving was magical. The house changed from a place where we lived to a Christmas wonderland. Outdoor decorations appeared as homes were trimmed in colorful lights. Inside, the Christmas tree was decorated while carols played on the stereo. Garland graced the banister while the stockings were hung over the fireplace. Christmas mugs replaced the coffee cups and the aromas of Christmas baking filled the house. There was just one thing left to do: the Nativity.
With great care, the pieces were unwrapped and set into place. The donkey and sheep would be rearranged countless times. The Magi were moved until their place was just right. Joseph and Mary were placed on either side of the manger. The final piece, the baby Jesus, was laid to rest in swaddling cloths. By evening, Jesus was missing!
An all-out search was launched. Every member of the family was assigned a specific area. There was a passionate determination to find the missing Jesus. After all, what good is a Nativity with no Jesus? What seemed like an eternity passed when an excited voice declared, "I found him!" Would you believe that Jesus was hiding in the plants?
This was the first of many searches for the missing Jesus. Sometimes we would find Jesus behind the recliners, other times under the pillow of our two-year-old, but mostly he had Jesus with him! That year a journey of spiritual significance was brought to life by a "missing Jesus." In the midst of all the preparations, we lost Jesus. But in seeking Jesus, we found the Son of God!

