““But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.””

— Luke 2:10-11

One of the traditions in our family, like many other families, is to open two presents on Christmas Eve. One is always cozy new pajamas to wear to bed. The second present was a new Christmas book. Truthfully, as the kids got older the books turned into movies. One of the things we all still look forward to over the Christmas break is watching and reading Christmas stories. The classics never get old, and we have a comfortable expectation of how the new ones will go. (Hallmark Christmas movies anyone?) Traditions fit like a well-worn slipper.

This month, at Amberlea the family ministry team has been working on how to tell the traditional story of the first Christmas for the upcoming Christmas events, the Drive-Thru Live Nativity (Dec. 19) and the ‘Do Not Be Afraid’ Virtual Pageant presented by the children and youth (Dec.20). As I tell my version of the story from 2000 years ago when Jesus was born, it sounds much like a Hallmark movie. It’s quaint, simple and oh so romantic. Somehow I have managed to imagine that Mary was pleasant and delightful while she gave birth away from home, with just Joseph present, surrounded by animals, after walking for miles, and then be visited by smelly strangers. It even comes with a happy ending when the Magi bring amazing gifts.

Even as I write this version, it sounds a tad ridiculous. There was nothing quaint or romantic about how things went down. And the happy ending is all but snatched away, as Mary, Joseph and Jesus go on the run from an evil king. (Best laid plans for a sequel.)

As I retell the Christmas story, I easily collapse it to the narrative that is comfortable and familiar for me. (Much like the pajama pants we all live in at our house.) I conveniently leave out the messy, fearful parts.

I don’t want my story to be messy, heated and uncomfortable. I don’t want to be afraid. I don’t want to be in the midst of Covid. I want things to be normal again.

Jesus’ birth story, the first Christmas was far from perfect. It was messy, uncomfortable and scary.

It was part of a perfect plan. God’s plan. A plan that is so much bigger than what I can see.

We are reminded through Mary, Joseph and the shepherd’s story that we are part of God’s bigger story too. The end of the story is that all things will be made right. God’s love once displayed in the birth of a tiny baby will have the final word. In the meantime, the story is messy, uncomfortable and even scary and Mary and Joseph and the shepherds show us, remind us how to be in its midst. Give our praise and worship to God.

This Christmas, as my heart and head go between two worlds, (gratefulness and fear), I will be grateful for the opportunity to share the Christmas story with my children and grandchildren and bringing it to life in the parking lot of the church and on a video screen.

This Christmas when I am lying in bed fretting… or sitting at the table with empty chairs… or trying to connect with family over Zoom, I’m going to remind myself that Christmas was never perfect, but God’s plan is.

“Glorify and praise God for all the things you have heard and seen.” Go and share the story of Christmas, in all of its messiness and perfection.

Nancy Varga
Family Ministries Director

Drive-Thru Live Nativity - Saturday, December 19, 12-3pm

Go back in time and experience the first Christmas outdoors. See the animals, shepherds, angels and magi all from the comfort of your car!

Spots quickly filling up. Register for your time at www.amberleachurch.ca

‘Do Not Be Afraid’, Virtual Christmas Pageant – Sunday, December 20, 11am

Don’t miss the wonderful re-telling of the Christmas story by children and youth. Enjoy the creative, hard work of families as they performed and filmed their parts at home, and brought them all together to make the Christmas story come alive.

Find it at www.amberleachurch.ca and Amberlea Church YouTube