Tucked Away Jesus

He knows the secrets of the heart. — Psalm 44:21 NKJV

It was a small nativity scene. A little box holding a few plastic pieces my mother had brought home from her travels. I had hesitated before I shoved it onto a shelf. Shouldn’t I just put it in the garage-sale box? I had wondered. Since the baby Jesus had gone missing a few years earlier, the nativity set had no real point, but I hated to toss it out.

In reality, the nativity made me sad. I looked back on the years my husband, David, was the minister of a vital, enthusiastic church, and I missed the fanfare of Christmas. It was easy to find Jesus there, in the march of toys for underprivileged children, presenting gifts to our disabled members, welcoming the lonely and elderly to our home on Christmas morning.

Now our Christmas was family centered. We had a quiet Christmas Eve candlelight service in our living room, and then lots of activity opening presents. Christmas breakfast rang with the laughter of friends, and our Christmas dinner was festive with English poppers, overfilled stockings, and too much food. It was good, in a different way.

But Jesus seemed missing in the action.

I soon forgot about the incomplete nativity and began my decorating marathon. There were two trees and an entire snow village to set up. Looking for some extra balls to hang from the chandelier, I came across a forgotten container marked “miscellaneous.” I opened the box and suddenly, to my complete surprise, there He was! A tiny plastic Baby with outstretched arms. He had come unexpectedly to remind me of something eternal.

Our church Christmases were over, and for a while, Jesus had seemed out of sight. But He was there, tucked away haphazardly, waiting — all new and waiting to be found, embraced, and experienced in new and joyful ways.

Father, you remind me that Your Son is always tucked somewhere in my heart, patiently waiting. With joy, I find Him again.

—Pam Kidd

Digging Deeper: Luke 1:14; 1 John 5:1

Excerpted with permission from Daily Guideposts 2020, copyright Guideposts.

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Your Turn

Does Jesus seem out of sight for you, too? Maybe Thanksgiving was different for you this year, and it looks like this Christmas will be different, too. If so, remember that Jesus is with you, no matter the changes. He’s there! Come share your thoughts with us on our blog. We want to hear from you! ~ Devotionals Daily