Two babies in a manger
By Pastor Roger Lemke
Special to The Eagle
In 1994, two Americans were invited by the Russian Department of Education to teach ethics in their prisons, at their businesses, fire and police departments and at a large orphanage.
At the orphanage, “We told them about Mary and Joseph arriving in Bethlehem and finding no room in the inn, the couple went to a stable where the baby Jesus was born and placed in a manger.” Throughout the story, the children and orphanage staff sat in amazement as they listened.
Completing the story, the two Americans gave the children three small pieces of cardboard to make a crude manger. Each child was given a small paper square, cut from yellow napkins to use for straw. Small squares of flannel, cut from a worn-out nightgown, were used for the baby’s blanket. A doll-like baby was cut from tan felt.
As one of the Americans walked among the orphans busy assembling their mangers he arrived at little Misha’s finished project. There in the manger was not one, but two babies. A translator asked the boy why there were two babies. Crossing his arms in front of him and looking at his completed manger scene, Misha began to repeat the story very seriously, and related the happenings accurately almost to the end.
Then Misha said: “And when Mary laid the baby in the manger, Jesus looked at me and asked me if I had a place to stay. I told Him I have no mamma and I have no papa, so I don’t have any place to stay. Then Jesus told me I could stay with Him. But I told Him I couldn’t, because I didn’t have a gift to give Him like everybody else. But I wanted to stay with Jesus so much, so I thought about what I had that maybe Jesus could use. I thought maybe if I kept Him warm, that would be a good gift. So I asked Jesus: ‘If I keep you warm, will that be a good enough gift?’ And Jesus told me: ‘If you keep me warm, that will be the best gift anybody ever gave me.’ So I got into the manger, and then Jesus looked at me and He told me I could stay with Him, for always.”
Little Misha, the orphan had found someone who would never abandon nor abuse him, someone who would stay with him for always.
We often call Jesus by the name Immanuel: “God with us.” During this Advent season discover that Immanuel will never abandon or abuse you, but will stay with you for always.Jesus promises to be with us:
– When the cancer biopsy comes back positive, instead of negative.
– When the final exam is marked with an “F” rather than an “A.”
– When a spouse of 10 years stomps out the door, and doesn’t return.
– When the late-night long-distance call communicates a death, not a birth.
– When the desire for companionship is drained by another lonely holiday season.
In all these depressing, discouraging and disillusioning situations, our Lord is with us as Immanuel, “God with us.” But Jesus also calls us to be with these same people. Jesus invites you to join them in their manger scenes so that you can be with Him, in His: “For as you have done it to one of the least of these you have done it unto me.” Jesus has extended His Christmas party invitation. How will you R.S.V.P.?
Roger Lemke is pastor of Fishers of Men Lutheran Chuch. 10360 Stringfellow Road, Pine Island. For information, call 239-283-1170.