THE CHRISTMAS PIECE

Jesus Christ, the same
yesterday,
today and
forever.
Hebrews 13:8

While up until first grade, we attended a Methodist church. I learned on one occasion while four years old, (about to be five in January,) that the kids at the church dreaded the Sunday after Thanksgiving. Alma Lockman, who was in charge of the Christmas program would visit each class with strips of paper draped across her left hand. Those were what we called “Christmas pieces.” Those were the recitations children were expected to recite at the Christmas program. We, in the younger department, felt pretty good that we were exempt. However, on that Sunday, Miss Alma came into our classroom with one piece of paper left and came straight to me. She told me I would have that “piece” to give for the Christmas program. I tried to explain that I didn't know how to read, but she assured me that my mother would help me with it. And that she did.

We had a rehearsal the Saturday prior to the Sunday night program. I learned, being the youngest, that I would say my piece first to welcome the people to the program. I went up the stairs to the platform that was a little high off of the main floor and took my place. Miss Alma pointed to me to begin and I began, but I didn't get very far. There were a lot of parents and other participants in the auditorium that scared me half to death. I knew my piece, but I froze.

Miss Alma, as I remember being on the short side, walked straight toward the platform, but had to look up at me to talk to me. I'll never forget how she tenderly took hold of my ankles. She said, “Glendarae, I know you know your piece. Don't pay attention to the people who are here. Sunday night, the lights will be out except for the stage so you won't have to look at a lot of people.” She then hastened to add: “ You shouldn't be afraid, Glendarae, “Jesus is here.” WHAT? That was about all I needed to hear. I looked around the best I could, but I didn't see Him anywhere. I had seen Sunday school pictures of Him. No one there had a beard or a long robe on like I had seen in pictures on the wall of our Sunday school classroom. Miss Alma must have been mistaken.

I got through my Christmas piece fine during the program with most of the lights out, and could see Miss Alma on the front row looking at me approvingly. If Jesus showed up that night, I still didn't see Him. I will say this though. When I finished, I sat down on the front pew and I remember crossing my arms and determining in my young mind that NEVER, NEVER again would I get up and talk in front of people....NEVER. I smile at that now for many reasons as I look back on my life.

I so appreciate all the color, music, nativity scenes and choir cantatas that go along with the Christmas season. While recently reading in the book of Hebrews and coming across the above verse, I found myself thinking about the verse in terms of the holiday. Yes, Jesus is the same yesterday....His nativity, life, ministry, death and resurrection are facts as is the rest of our spiritual heritage. Those things will never change even though there have been those who have tried. We can't even begin to put together in our minds what our forever will be. We are a part of our own forever right now, but it will culminate with our entering our Heavenly Home in God's time.

I've been thinking about Jesus in our TODAY. Miss Alma Lockman came to my mind when she said, “Jesus is here.” I recall looking and looking for Him, but couldn't see Him anywhere that night. I'm thinking of today, not standing on a stage, but sitting in my living room, and how often do I think about Jesus being a vital part of my TODAY. I love and appreciate my spiritual yesterdays and my future forever, but what is my awareness of Jesus in my todays even with no holidays or trappings of them?

Someone sent me a card not long ago and ended the card with two words: GOD IS...I looked at those two words for a few minutes just trying to take them in. GOD IS and so I see that JESUS IS also. How often through holidays or just regular days of living do I remember that Jesus is a vital part of my life that goes far beyond my salvation. He is a vital presence in my life even though I can't see Him with physical eyes. Just because I don't have that kind of sight, do I ever stop to consider with spiritual eyes that JESUS IS? Thank you, Miss Alma for instilling a simple statement in the mind of a little girl that would grow to be the reality in her that was obvious in your own life.

Thank You Father for being who You are in all our lives. Thank You for the truth of Scripture that assures us of Jesus' being important to us with every move we make and breath we breathe. Thank You for being our I AM THAT I AM and for Jesus being our TODAY...our IS. In His precious name... Amen