Christmas without Jesus?!

Friday night after school, we went to the Christmas program/party at the school of our two oldest children. We invited Pappy Alain, our kids' adoptive grandfather, as well.

The school had a theatre troupe come in and do a Christmas-related program. Sadly, there was no reference at all to Jesus. In fact, the story was a kind of New Agey one which dealt with the four seasons and a snowman. Pappy Alain referred to the program as "Noel à la Républicain," which refers to the system here which since 1905 has tried to completely separate the educational system from religious faith.

This program was a good reminder of why we are here. Despite having Jesus completely ignored during a celebration of a holiday originally based around His birth, we brought Jesus with us to the program. As He dwells within us, we bring His presence with us wherever we go.

We are His hands, His feet, His voice, His eyes, His heart. We are these when we go into the school, pool, park, grocery store, post office, bus, car, etc. We have the power to bless people with the blessing of Jesus. However, we also have the capacity to curse people we come across through our words, gestures, facial expressions, attitudes and general indifference.

In recent days, I've tried to pray for different people who come across my path, as well as ones who come to mind. May Jesus reach into their lives with the individualized touch and healing that each one needs. May He do the same for me.