by Jason Nelson
One day after Thanksgiving in a time before online shopping I made a huge mistake. I left my quiet spot in the woods and went to the big city. When I announced my intentions to my wife she slumped in her chair and asked, “Why, Jason?” I gave her a reassuring hug and said, “Honey, I can do this.”
I hadn’t scoured the ads for doorbusters and really didn’t have a Black Friday strategy. I would just drive to my favorite big box retailer and browse. Maybe pick up a few stocking stuffers. When I got there, I had to park on the grass at the far reaches of the parking lot. I stalked a young mom and got her shopping cart when she stopped running away from me. I saw people were waiting in line to get into the store and I just wanted to go home. But I was also looking for a baby Jesus to decorate my front yard. The little buck I put out for years was failing. The motor that made his head go up and down gave out so his head just hung there. Many of the lights were burned out. The last few years it looked like I had a very depressed three-legged deer in my front yard. It was time for a change.
I was looking for a baby Jesus and maybe the rest of the Holy Family to let the whole world know what Christmas is really about. But I didn’t want the molded baby Jesus made out of recycled soda bottles. I gave it a look because they had “buy one get one” on the Wise Men but that didn’t seem to add up right. I didn’t want the inflatable Holy Family either. They're not inspiring unplugged. Nor was I drawn to the cut-out nativity you could back light on the side of your house. I was looking for a baby Jesus that was as beautiful as those majestic reindeer made of woven grape vines with eternal lights flickering inside. I was looking for a baby Jesus that would grab the hearts of visitors to my home with his adorable majesty. I was looking for the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace that came fully assembled.
I got in the checkout line with three meat thermometers, a package of chocolate Santas, and no baby Jesus. The man ahead of me had a cart mounded with great deals. He looked compassionately at my meager purchases and asked if I wanted to go ahead of him. I think he saw my lower lip quivering and he was in the Christmas spirit. I said, “God bless you for your kindness, my friend. But I knew what I was getting into when I came.”
It was lunch time when I drove home, so I ate the Santas and wondered if I would ever find the baby Jesus I was looking for. I was looking for a baby Jesus that makes angels sing and grizzled outdoor types kneel in adoration of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. I knew there was only one place to find him, so I went home, slumped in my own chair, grabbed my Bible and read Luke chapter 2, and sighed. I decided I would just upgrade the deer with a lit up polar bear.
Merry Christmas to all. May you find baby Jesus this year.