This morning I joined our two churches in decorating their buildings for Advent and Christmas. It was great to see our new Samoan Fellowship helping East Anchorage people decorate together. One of the girls is about 6 or 7 and I’ve been interacting with her since July. She has only spoken to me once or twice in six months and I’ve been eagerly awaiting the day she decided I was safe to talk with.
She was fascinated with the chrismons, which are white and gold tree decorations that represent a variety of biblical themes. She picked up one of them that had a manger scene in it. She pointed to it and I knelt down to see what she was thinking. She opened her mouth and this interaction followed…
Her: Does the baby die?
Me: Well we’re celebrating that the baby is born and he lives for a while and then yes, he dies.
Her: Dying is not good.
Me: Well actually it turns out to be a good thing that this baby dies. Because this baby dies, it makes it good when we die. We’re able to be in heaven with God.
A couple minutes later she picks up the cross ornament.
Her: Death is bad, right?
Me: Well, because Jesus died on the cross for us, we don’t have to be afraid of death.
Her: Oh yeah, so people can be in heaven with Jesus.
Yes, the joy of Christmas leads to the sorrow of Good Friday. But I’m so thankful that’s not the end of the story. We get Sunday morning 🙂
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Jenny – I was inspired and humbled as I ready your post. What a profound conversation. Thank you for your faithfulness in responding to this child.
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Andrew – I was so surprised when she asked if the baby was going to die. Not usually a question you think about at Christmas! Will continue to reflect on this conversation and how it might help illustrate in the future..
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