The Night Before Xmas, Scene 3: Who Was This Jesus?

Stevie sat with furrowed brow, trying to figure out what this strange man was saying. A new world? A real world? Glorious Christmas? “Mister, I don’t understand what you are talking about. We’ve never heard of stuff before.”

“You’ve never heard of Jesus?”

Becky chimed in. “Of course we’ve heard of Jesus. He lived a long time ago, didn’t he? What does he have to do with Christmas, anyway?”

The old man shook his head slowly. “My dear little girl, what do you think Christmas is? It is the birthday of Jesus Christ. Christmas celebrates the day that Jesus, the son of God, became a man.”

Lori was skeptical. She didn’t believe in Santa; she would not easily be taken in by this man’s fantastic story. “What’s so great about that? Everyone has a birthday. Why should we all celebrate Jesus’ birthday? What makes him so special?”

“Isn’t it funny?” said their guest. “Your parents have given you three everything any child could want. You have enough toys to stock an orphanage. Your parents see to it that you have the finest education possible; you wear only the best clothes – everything this world offers. And yet, they have neglected the one most important thing in this world. They have not told you about Jesus.

“Daddy says that religion isn’t important,” Stevie pronounced this fact, obviously imitating his father’s dogmatic tone.

“Maybe not, Stevie, but Jesus is. He is the most important person in the world. He is the Son of God. In fact, he is God himself.”

This made no sense to Becky. “How can they both be God?”

“It is impossible to understand, Becky,” said the old man with a warm smile. “It is beyond the ability of even the smartest human beings to understand, but it is taught in the Bible, the Word of God. There is one God, and only one, but God exists in three persons. Each of them is God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit.”

“Huh?” Stevie’s brain was overloading.

“Don’t worry, Stevie, it is something we believe, even though no one can understand it completely. But it is important to our story. Christmas is the time when God the Father sent God the Son into the world to demonstrate his love; to prove his love to the world.”

Tentatively, Lori said, “It sounds interesting.”

“Good, then let me start at the very beginning. A long time ago, God created this world and everything in us. This is his world. We all belong to him. He made the world and he keeps it running with his marvelous power. Even though we can’t see him, he rules over the whole universe.”

Stevie’s eyes were wide. “Wow, he’s bigger than Santa Claus.”

“Be quiet, Stevie,” Lori snapped at him. “Tell us more, mister.”

“Certainly. We’re just getting started, Lori. God sent his son Jesus, who is the rightful King of the whole universe, down to live in this world, to become one of us. God came down to live in a human body. Do you know why he did that?” They all shook their heads. “Because he loves you; he loves you very much.”

“Jesus love me?” queried Becky.

“And Steve, and Lori, and your mother and father. God loved the whole world that he sent his only Son into this world, so that people could have eternal life. That’s the real Christmas story. Its not about any of those things that you children have celebrated. It is about God sending his Son into the world to become one of us.”

Lori was fascinated with this man’s story, but was having trouble wrapping her brain around it. “It’s all kind of confusing, sir. I don’t understand all that you are saying about Jesus Christ. Who was he? Who was Jesus really?”

“Ah, Lori, that is a great question. In fact, it is the most important question anyone has ever asked; the most vital question in history. Who was Jesus?”

What Child is this who, laid to rest
On Mary’s lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,
While shepherds watch are keeping?
This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing;
Haste, haste, to bring Him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

Why lies He in such mean estate,
Where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christians, fear, for sinners here
The silent Word is pleading.
Nails, spear shall pierce Him through,
The cross be borne for me, for you.
Hail, hail the Word made flesh,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh,
Come peasant, king to own Him;
The King of kings salvation brings,
Let loving hearts enthrone Him.
Raise, raise a song on high,
The virgin sings her lullaby.
Joy, joy for Christ is born,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.