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Nancy Parker Brummett

Nancy Parker Brummett

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A Little Extra Jesus

December 21, 2012 by Nancy 29 Comments

Jesus - ChristmasOf all the decorations we put up at Christmas, what I treasure most is my collection of nativity sets. One goes on the mantel, one in the bookcase in the living room, and one on the bookshelf in the family room. Those are the main sets, but I have smaller ones that get tucked here and there, too. Each one plays a part in helping us stay focused on the reason for Christmas—the celebration of that point in time when Jesus Christ became flesh and made his dwelling among us (John 1:14).

For two years I was unable to find the Baby Jesus that went with a small terra cotta nativity set. Finally, the next year, I reluctantly placed the stable, Mary and Joseph into the give-away pile, because what good is a nativity set without its star? I hoped maybe someone else would be able to use what was left of my set to replace a broken figure or two.

But wouldn’t you know, the year after that, as I was unpacking the nativities, I noticed something in the corner of a piece of bubble wrap. There it was—the missing Baby Jesus in the manger. Now, of course, I had no Mary and Joseph to watch over him, I just had a little extra Jesus, measuring less than two inches long! What could I possibly do with a little extra Jesus?

It didn’t take me long to realize the answer to that question. Everyone can use a little extra Jesus. Certainly the grieving families in Newtown, CT, and everyone involved in that horrible tragedy could use a little extra Jesus this year. So could my friend undergoing cancer treatment, the homeless people in our community looking for a place to get in out of the cold, and those who wonder if they will be able to make their house payments in the new year.

But none of these people need the little terra cotta Jesus that now sleeps so serenely amidst my Christmas decorations. They need more of Jesus himself—more of his mercy, his love, and his peace. They need more of his compassion, his healing, and his power—more of the hope of eternal life that he gives us. We who know him, and celebrate the true meaning of Christmas, are to be the hands and feet of Jesus in this world. If someone is to experience more of him, it may well be through us.

Now I know what to do with this tiny terra cotta babe in the manger. He’s not extra at all. I will keep him to remind me that we all need a little extra Jesus—not only at Christmas, but always.

 

Filed Under: Back Porch Break Tagged With: Christmas, Jesus, Nativity, Newtown CT

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jimmie says

    December 22, 2012 at 9:03 am

    Loved it!! We meet a little extra Jesus to share.
    Thanks, my special friend!
    Merry Christmas!

    Reply
    • Nancy says

      December 22, 2012 at 9:41 am

      And thanks for your comment, Jimmie! Hope to see you soon.

      Reply
  2. Lea Ann says

    December 22, 2012 at 9:06 am

    lovely, indeed we all need a little extra Jesus – thanks for the poignant reminder Nancy

    Reply
    • Nancy says

      December 22, 2012 at 9:40 am

      You’re so welcome. Thanks for being a faithful reader all year!

      Reply
  3. Jan Keller says

    December 22, 2012 at 9:13 am

    I LOVE this story!

    Reply
    • Nancy says

      December 22, 2012 at 9:40 am

      Thanks, Jan. This seemed like a good year to “revisit” it! Merry Christmas

      Reply
  4. Andrea says

    December 22, 2012 at 9:54 am

    Nancy, you are indeed a “little extra Jesus” to so many…I am grateful to be included in the blessing of your life and your writing. Thank you! Love, Andrea

    Reply
    • Nancy says

      December 22, 2012 at 10:35 am

      And you to me! Thanks for being a faithful reader and “reflector.”

      Reply
  5. Beverly Kromer Jennings says

    December 22, 2012 at 10:16 am

    I loved this, Nancy; and it could not have come at a better time. I so enjoy reading your blogs!
    Merry Christmas to you and yours!!!!
    Beverly

    Reply
    • Nancy says

      December 22, 2012 at 10:36 am

      Thanks for reading, Beverly! Merry Christmas to you and yours also!

      Reply
  6. Elizabeth Van Liere says

    December 22, 2012 at 11:49 am

    Count me in with those who love this story, Nancy. Reminds me of the song, More About Jesus I Would Know. Have a God-blessed Christmas, Nancy. Love, Betty

    Reply
    • Nancy says

      December 23, 2012 at 1:55 pm

      Thanks, Betty–and I love that song, too! Merry Christmas!

      Reply
  7. Peggy Hankins Turner says

    December 22, 2012 at 12:00 pm

    Beautiful and so very true!!

    Reply
  8. MarylinWarner says

    December 22, 2012 at 2:43 pm

    Beautiful post, Nancy.
    One of my favorite Christmas cards I’ve received this year is a simple forrest background on the front with the message written in gold cursive: Such a Big Miracle from Such a Small Child.
    Have a warm and wonderful Christmas with your family, Nancy, and a very happy new Yew Year.

    Reply
    • Nancy says

      December 23, 2012 at 1:56 pm

      Great message. And the same to you and yours!

      Reply
  9. alice scott-ferguson says

    December 23, 2012 at 6:58 am

    lovely lovely words
    strung together like Christmas lights
    illuminating
    insightful
    inspiring

    Reply
    • Nancy says

      December 23, 2012 at 1:57 pm

      Alice, your comment seems like Christmas lights to me–everything you write is poetic. Thank you.

      Reply
  10. Sue says

    December 23, 2012 at 1:21 pm

    Thank you, Nancy. And Merry Christmas!

    Reply
    • Nancy says

      December 23, 2012 at 2:39 pm

      Merry Christmas to you, too, Sue! Enjoy your big kids!

      Reply
  11. Jean Pierre DeBernay says

    December 24, 2012 at 9:13 am

    Hi Nancy! Merry Christmas and thanks for the reminder.

    Reply
    • Nancy says

      December 26, 2012 at 1:12 pm

      Thanks, Pierre. Good to hear from you. Happy new year to you and Louise!

      Reply
  12. Bernice Herrold says

    December 24, 2012 at 9:55 am

    I love the story Nancy–soo very meaningful for these days!

    Reply
    • Nancy says

      December 26, 2012 at 1:13 pm

      Thanks, Bernice. And a happy new year to you and yours!

      Reply
  13. Carol Johnson Howard says

    December 25, 2012 at 7:54 am

    As always, you always get to the heart of the matter. I daily need a little extra Jesus to share with the world. Thanks Nancy for sharing a poignant reminder that we must take Him with us everywhere there is hurt and heartache.

    Reply
    • Nancy says

      December 28, 2012 at 10:28 am

      Thank you, Carol. I appreciate your taking the time to comment. Happy New Year!

      Reply
  14. Beth Lueders says

    December 26, 2012 at 10:03 am

    Nancy,
    Love your Christmas message! Thank you for reminding us all that Jesus is our enough-ness, especially when we
    look to “extras” in life to fill what we think is lacking.

    THANK YOU for sharing your always timely insights with us. Keep ’em coming!

    Reply
    • Nancy says

      December 28, 2012 at 10:27 am

      Thanks, Beth. As with most things I write this is a message I need! But then you know how that goes. Happy New Year!

      Reply
  15. Jim says

    December 26, 2012 at 1:38 pm

    Love this one.

    Reply
    • Nancy says

      December 28, 2012 at 10:26 am

      Thanks, dear. Love YOU!

      Reply

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