The following is a Christmas conversation with Jesus. Many of us Christians have had this conversation. Maybe not all of it.
But certainly, parts of it. Maybe not out loud. But in our heads, almost certainly.
Did we listen for a response from Jesus? Uh, no, not really. Why wouldn’t He agree with what we said?
The red (may be gray on cell phones) lines below are where Jesus responded to this one particular conversation.
Of course, since we didn’t listen, we don’t know what He really said.
Not exactly. But we might have some “feeling” that we ignored.
But based on what He might have said, here are one person’s replies back to Jesus.
Enjoy. But then, also take it seriously.
Merry Christmas, Jesus!
No – Wait –
Happy Birthday, Jesus!
Oh. It’s not really Your birthday?
Yes, I should have thought about what I was reading in the Bible.
No, we shouldn’t speed read Your Word.
We should read carefully and pray along with the reading.
But anyway- we had to do something about that pagan holiday, whatever it was.
I mean really – does it matter so much about when we celebrate Your birthday?
And we tried to latch on to other pagan stuff as well.
It seemed important to tag along with that pagan stuff.
Then maybe we could take them over – and then everyone would celebrate You instead.
Wasn’t that a great idea?
What’s that?
What about the Christmas tree?
Like I said, we have the Christmas tree because it was part of the pagan stuff.
Oh, no, sorry. I never meant to imply You weren’t listening.
Yes, of course You were just asking for more details about why we did the Christmas tree.
Yes, we did remember the stuff about the poles from the Old Testament.
But hey – You said none of those “poles” – not no trees.
And seriously, it’s not really one of those poles unless we cut off all the branches. And shape it a bit.
And look – we only cut off the bottom few branches.
And we only did that because there’s no way to get it into these Christmas tree stands with all the branches.
So we didn’t really fall into following that old pole thing.
Something else?
The decorations on the pole? Scratch that – I meant Christmas tree!
We’re not supposed to have those either?
But then it’s just a tree!
Pretty boring without the decorations, especially the Christmas tree topper, don’t You think?
Besides, that makes it look even less like one of those poles!
We did it for You!!
And – look at the top of the pole. Darn! I meant Christmas tree! There’s pretty much always a star or an angel.
Of course the star represents the star of Bethlehem! Everyone knows that.
Sorry for the tone of voice.
Oh – You’re not so sure. I’ll bet they do.
Oh no – sorry again. I guess I’m just so passionate about the pole. I mean Christmas tree! Sorry again!
Of course. I’m so much more passionate about You than about the silly pole. I mean TREE!
The angel?
Why – that’s one of the angels telling the people not to be afraid – because You’re coming!
Really? You think people don’t know that part either?
Oh. Yes. Of course, You are right. You do know that for sure, don’t You? Sorry, I guess I forgot about You already knowing everything.
Oh yeah – and let’s not forget about the presents!
Everyone knows they represent the presents the three wise men brought to You on Your birthday!
Say what? It wasn’t actually on Your birthday? Honestly?
NO! I would never accuse You of lying!
Just kidding about that “honestly” comment. (Oops – shouldn’t have said that!)
Anyway – back to the presents. How was I supposed to know it wasn’t really on the day You were born?
Oops. So sorry. Again. I forgot we already talked about that. I’m sure I’ll remember this time. (I hope.)
Something else?
There weren’t three wise men?
I’m pretty sure about that – there were. I remember – one gift from each of them.
Are You sure? No wait – I didn’t really mean that either. Of course You’re sure.
OK – You’re right. Of course. The Bible doesn’t say how many wise men there were.
Sorry – I made another wrong assumption.
One gift each sounds so good – it just seems right, don’t You think?
How many gifts do I give? Do I give more than one to anybody?
Well, of course. Just one gift to special people is kind of cheap, don’t You think?
Yes, I do give more than one gift to my special friends.
Like I said, only one sounds kind of cheap.
Back to the Wise Men?
Yeah. That is what I assumed You got. One from each.
It seemed right.
Sorry. I didn’t mean to imply that the wise men were cheap.
Uh Oh! I didn’t think about that.
Sorry.
Again.
No – I didn’t mean at all to imply that You weren’t special.
Of course You deserve more than one gift.
Oh no! Maybe I should just be quiet.
No – I didn’t mean to imply that people who get more than one gift from me are more important than You are!
I’d never say that.
Maybe You’re right. No. Wait! Of course, You are right.
I guess I did just say that. No. Wait! again. I did just say that.
Let me try saying one more thing.
Thank You Jesus, for coming to earth as one of us.
Thank You Jesus for coming, even though You knew that it was to sacrifice Your life for us.
Even though we pretty much forget about You. Even the little bit that we ever really knew.
I’m so thankful that You came as one of us.
Because now You know from first-hand experience what it’s like to be one of us.
And because then I can say,
“Forgive us Lord, because we know not what we do”.
And then You’ll agree, and say,
(Luke 23:34) “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
Yes, You did say that. I remember. I’m just hoping it still applies to us today.
It does?
It does!!
Thank You, so much!!
For a real look at what Christmas is about, also see:
Why is Christmas so scary? What it’s really about.
Christmas. Why is Christmas so scary? It’s the time when we hear so much about how it brings out the best in people. It’s time to give gifts. It’s time to be nice to other people. All those things.
Scary stuff – isn’t it?
And then there’s the baby – Jesus – the true “reason for the season”.
A little baby.
Very scary.
Don’t laugh.
It’s true.
Image by Pexels from Pixabay