There’s A Baby Up There

December 22, 2011 in: Devotions

At Christmas Eve services last year, we crowded into church, the night filled with both a sense of contentment and anticipation that is unique to December 24.
The service was simple and moving, two teenagers portraying Joseph and Mary, gifted musicians singing old carols and new worship songs.

In the row behind me, young Emily started getting restless. It’s hard to sit through a church service when you’re just 2 years old, especially on Christmas Eve. She wiggled down out of the seat and peered around the chair to watch the stage, intrigued by the scene.

A deacon read the passage that described Jesus being laid in a manger, the angels who announced his birth and the shepherds who came to worship him. But Emily was not listening. Her dad put her on his lap and shushed her, which only made her squirm and fuss more. Exasperated, she told her dad very plainly about the situation.

“There’s a baby up there and I want to see it.”

 

Her innocent voice cut through all the extra layers surrounding Christmas and went straight to the point. Why pay attention to anything else when there is a baby?

 

Emily’s advice has helped me to keep my focus this holiday season. All the presents and cookies and lights are nice, but is my greatest desire to see the Savior and to be near Him? This Christmas, I pray that you can catch a glimpse of the baby and see Jesus for all he is.