A Backwards Christmas

One of the highlights of this weekend was the children’s Sunday School Christmas Program, presented during the 5pm Saturday worship service. The children were well-prepared and filled with excitement for telling the story. Over 500 people were present as the story of Christ’s birth was told backwards – yes, backwards. The plot of the program’s story goes like this: some of the characters, the Magi specifically, need to leave the Christmas program early, and ask the director if they can tell the story backwards. The director agrees, the story begins with the visit of the Magi, and unfolds – backwards - from there.

It was a wonderful reminder of how many things in life come to us kind of backwards: decisions and family responsibilities for instance. Then again, there are things that occur in life – sickness, loss, unexpected changes - that suddenly turn everything else backwards. In fact, the Christmas story itself is about what happens when God does amazing and unexpected things, and turns backwards and upside-down the lives of Mary & Joseph, shepherds & Magi, humans schemes, and logical expectations, and comes to be with us as Emmanuel – God-with-us. Come to think of it, it is the very backwards nature of this Story that, from beginning to end, truly makes it “Good News.”

Prayer:
Gracious God, thank you for the children who lead us by telling the Story, your Story, with genuineness and joy. Bless all of your people with your presence so that we might grow in grace and faith even when things in life seem backwards and turned around. Out of our confusion, bring your order and peace, and shine around us the Light of your presence. In Jesus’ name. Amen.