2024-01-02
Brooke Strong
Reflection Text...
Christmas Eve 2023
4pm
Kristin LeFeber
To start let me express how much I love seeing all of the kiddos read and sing and provide artwork for worship services like this one. It’s a real gift and adds so much to our time together.
For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Kristin LeFeber and I am the Director of Children’s Faith formation here at Federated and it is my privilege to share a christmas reflection with you tonight
On Christmas Eve when I was 2.5 the story goes that as soon as I arrived at their house, I marched down the steps into my grandparent’s terrace kitchen and announced, “Some darn idiot hit our car!” (Except I didn’t say “darn.”)
Regardless of what I said, my meaning, however unfortunately, was accurate. Someone had hit our parked car (a green Ford Pinto as I recall) and didn’t leave a note. A xmas eve hit and run. And while my dad is typically a very bright and articulate person, he exclaimed in his justified fury, probably to my mom, “Some ‘darn’ idiot hit our car!”
But I was right there, in my cute dress and coat (as I picture it), no doubt decked out for Christmas, wildly absorbing everything around me like any good two year old would. Apparently I am very bright and articulate as well.
Yes, children of all ages watch and listen and reenact and recite. And, no, this is hardly breaking news. But remembering this story got me thinking about how kids might be watching and listening even more closely this time of year. Because they are already ripe with waiting and watching right now aren’t they? Waiting to decorate. Watching for visitors. Waiting for winter break. Watching for Santa. Waiting for presents. Observing and absorbing everything we do as their parents and grandparents and guardians just to get ready for (and just get through) the Christmas season.
And then I got to thinking some more…what have my own kids and the kids at the church been observing and absorbing in me and in my life these days?
Have they been sensing stress? Or have they been seeing prayer?
Have they been seeing hustle and hassle? Or have they been sensing peace?
Have they been sensing resignation? Or have they been seeing patience?
Have they been passing by a dusty manger scene? Or have they been observing Jesus?
I think we can get so caught up in what we are doing for our children at Christmas and frankly throughout the whole year that we neglect to consider how we are doing it.
Because, absolutely, tonight is a holy night and we are here. And it is beautiful. Deep breath. But we are also a holy people, blessed with and by the gift of God’s child, God’s love incarnate. And we are also God’s children, called to live as Jesus did…not just tonight, but every night. Not just tomorrow, but every day.
Christmas is the goal, but it is the path as well.
And kiddos, I’m talking to you too. You are also children of God. Called to do your best to live as Jesus did. Your siblings and cousins and friends are watching you just as you watch them…just as you watch your parents. Show them that you know something special. Show them through your actions like prayer, peacefulness and patience that you know Jesus is what xmas is really all about and that he was born to show love in a new way all year.
Love is the goal, but it is the path as well.
Joy to the world, Jesus has come. Joy to the world, we are here… to love and live Christmas like he does.
Amen.
And Merry Christmas.