Sammy: Guess what guess what guess what!

Pastor: What, Sammy? You seem really excited to tell us something.

Sammy: You are never going to believe what I saw!

Pastor: What did you see, Sammy?

Sammy: I was sleeping, okay? I was all curled up next to my maaamaaa and then all of a sudden, someone turned on the sun in the middle of the night.

Pastor: Someone turned on the sun?

Sammy: Yes! The sky was that bright! First there was darkness and little twinkly stars and then boom! A light as bright as the sun filled the sky. So of course I woke up. And you are never going to believe what happened next.

Pastor: Please tell us.

Sammy: I saw angels fill the sky. One angel named Gabriel told all of us: my maaamaaa, my cousins, and aunts and uncles, and even farmers Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John and the shepherds something really special.

Pastor: What did he say?

Sammy: Gabriel said, “Do not be afraid, for see, I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: ¹¹ to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah,^[b] the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” I just stood there with my mouth hanging open.

Pastor: What else happened?

Sammy: Well then the angels started singing! They sounded so good. Just like our choir here at St. Paul’s.

Pastor: Well what happened next?

Sammy: Are you serious, Pastor Jim? Of course I had to go see the baby. I love babies.

Pastor: Who went to go see the baby?

Sammy: My maaamaaa, my cousins, and aunts and uncles, and even farmers Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John and the shepherds, too. We all went.

Pastor: And, what did you think?

Sammy: The baby was so cute. His momma and dada wrapped him up in swaddling clothes just like the shepherds use for lambs and laid him in the manger—just like the manger I eat from. He’s a lamb just like me! But you know, Pastor Jim, I could tell that there is something really special about this baby.

Pastor: What do you mean?

Sammy: This baby is no ordinary baby. This baby shone brighter than all of the angels in the night sky. And I felt such peace when I laid down in front of the manger. And I knew in my heart that even I, a little lamb, am so loved.

Pastor: Sammy, you witnessed the greatest event in the history of man. God is with us. A savior is born to us. Boys and girls, let’s pray: Dear Jesus: Thank you for being with us. Thank you for guiding us. Thank you for coming to earth as a baby. Thank you for your love. Amen.

Sammy: I have a gift for each of the boys and girls here today. I have a little lamb for each of you to adopt into your family to remind you how much Jesus loves you. Pastor Jim, can you give everyone a lamb please?

Pastor Jim: Merry Christmas, Sammy!

Sammy: Merry Christmas, Pastor Jim! Merry Christmas boys and girls!

“For what good will it do a person if he gains the whole world, but forfeits his soul? Or what will a person give in exchange for his soul?  For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and will then repay every person according to his deeds” (Matthew 16:26-27).

There are those who do think of themselves alone and as the center of being.  What good does that do?  So, you live for yourself.  What have you gained?  Experiences?  But if you live for yourself, when you die, they die.  Jesus is telling us the most fundamental truth there is, we are not alone, nor are we the center.  The richest people in the world leave behind everything they gained in this life. Only your soul survives.

Lord, in the end, my soul is either yours, or else is forfeited.  If I seek my selfish desires, I cannot have a heart that really lives.  Lead me in the way You know I need to walk to be shed of the evil that resides in my heart.  Lord, I pray You, bless me because I have walked with You rather than walking in my way.  Save me from the condemnation this world brings so that I may become what You intend.

Lord Jesus, You are being forthright and telling us of reality.  Help me to think this through and see it for what it is.  Guide me now and always to understand that You created me, and I desire to walk with You.  Either I will belong to myself, or I will belong to You.  You have ransomed my soul.  Guide me in the way, truth and life You give me by grace so that I may live and  join You in eternity.  Amen.