Reference

Various Texts

The Preacher arrived at church early on Christmas Sunday morning for he wanted to make sure that everything was back in place after the Christmas Ever service. As he picked up the discarded bulletins - put hymnbooks back in their place - he ended up near the front of the church where they had erected a near life size Nativity scene.  He loved the Nativity scene with its ornately carved figures -for they were crafted with wonderful realism and they added so much to the feeling of Christmas in the Church.  But to his dismay  he realized the figure of the baby Jesus was missing. The shepherds were standing wide- eyed - the Wisemen kneeling presenting their gifts - Mary looked on serenely -- but baby Jesus was missing.  He looked everywhere - under the pews/ in the balcony - but couldn't find the baby anywhere.  The longer he looked the more his anger grew. How could anyone steal the very symbol of their reason for celebrating Christmas?  Later at the service with as much constraint has, he could muster her said "The figure of the Christ Child must be returned before the Christmas day was over ... if that happens, we will not ask any questions"  As he led the 3 services slated for the day - the empty manger remained empty - and his anger grew.