I made my way towards Mr. Baker to ask about the Living Nativity Christmas ministry for which the church is famous.  A family friend for over 50 years, he always welcomes me with a big smile and comforting hug.  “It’s going to be a ‘pared-down’ version with just half the usual number of stations,” he said.

 “Will there be live camels?” I asked.  “No, we were unable to reserve them early enough” he replied.  “We will only have about 5 stations this year”.

Covid has negatively impacted the ability for so many organizations to carry forth the traditions of years past due to lack of volunteers, fear of sickness, closures, and decreased funding.  The place where the spirit of Christmas is supposed to be the strongest, the church, has suffered from all of these.  My thoughts turned to the hundreds of families that wait each year for their chance to drive slowly through the luminary lighted pathway around the church perimeter, guiding them through the story of the real meaning of Christmas. Children and adults are equally delighted to see live sheep grazing, and camels, draped in regal colored fabrics and harnesses.

Perhaps the most precious and symbolic animal is the little donkey, who carried Mary to Bethlehem as she was about to give birth to baby Jesus. In this day of computers with online learning and increased urbanization, children are still fascinated by and remember situations where they have experiences with live animals.  In the living nativity, these animals, some exotic and others simple farm stock, help a timeless miracle become real as the story of the Christ child is narrated and set to music.

So, without the live animals, and with only half the drive-by stations, will people who come year after year be disappointed? Will the lack of all the elaborate sets and costumes and a shortened experience be less meaningful? Will they think it was not worth the time, or will they reflect on the importance of recalling the most important story of all in the Bible?

As I look at my own house, my situation is similar…. a very scaled down version of what I usually “do” at Christmas.  I have a tree in the front yard with branches lit in clear lights, and simple green wreaths with red bows on the door and panels on the front of the house.  That’s it. Nothing indoors…no garland with lights or tree with ornaments surrounded by packages. You won’t find collections of snowmen, nutcrackers, international Santa Claus statues, or Christmas cottages displayed.  I have them all, but they remain packed in boxes in the attic. 

In “A Charlie Brown Christmas”, Lucy famously said “Look Charlie, let’s face it. We all know that Christmas is a big commercial racket.  It’s run by a big eastern syndicate, you know”.  Fortunately, Charlie Brown ran onstage during the play rehersal and asked “Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?” Linus stepped up and answered with confidence, reciting the story those of us who were blessed to be brought up in the church know and love, Luke 2: 1-20.   As Linus ended his spotlighted performance, he closed with “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.  That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.”