When There is No Baby Jesus...

And she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.  Luke 2:7

No room for Jesus.  We all know the story, but what if Jesus had never shown up? What if there had been no need to even look for a place in an inn?  Like the Nativity scene that I saw in a store last year...with no Jesus.  Yes, you read right...selling a Nativity set at a $50 discount because it didn't have a baby Jesus. At first I laughed about it.  The idea is ludicrous. Then the questions started rolling through my head.  Who stole the baby? Why even try to sell a No-Jesus Nativity? Will anyone really buy it without the Star (and I don't mean the one up in the sky that lead the Wise Men!)   What is a Nativity scene without Jesus?  The whole thing just seemed so wrong on so many levels.  It's true.  So much wrong on so many levels.  A reason for Jesus to show up on the scene because "our scene" so needs Him...

-We are sick and need a Doctor.
-We are broken and need a Repairman.
-We are stuck in sin and need a Rescuer.
-We damage others and need a Builder to re-construct our relationships.
-We are lost and need a Shepherd to help us find our way.
-We are forever separated from God and need a Bridge.

So much wrong on so many levels.  That is why a Nativity...a Christmas without Jesus won't do.  Even if it saves you money...even if it is less to dust on the mantle...

A Christmas without Jesus is no Christmas at all!