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"I want the Jesus House," demanded my six year old.
She stomped her little feet and put her hands on her hips. I had no idea what she was talking about. She kept pointing at the attic. Finally, it dawned on me. She wanted the nativity scene that was neatly packed away and stored in a cardboard box in the attic.
"Okay, I'll get it for you in a minute," I said as I cleared the dinner table.
"Now, pleeeeeeease Mommy," she said urgently.
I put down my dish towel, turned off the sink, and headed for the pull-down stairs. It took me a minute to locate the nativity scene amongst the tower of boxes full of Christmas decorations. I was pleasantly surprised to find two nativity scenes and decided to bring them both downstairs. One I placed in my daughter's room, the other I placed in the den.
Since the nativity scenes arrived, however, I have found the Son of God in rather strange places. In my daughter's pockets, in her bed, on the edge of the tub, at the breakfast table. He is often accompanied by a wise man, a sheep, or sometimes Mary or Joseph. Apparently, he likes to travel around the house. The confines of the manger and the stable are too much for him having spent the better part of the last year in a Nordstrom's box in the attic.
Another odd consequence of having two nativity scenes-the two groups seem to enjoy getting together. I often come home to find six wise men, two Marys, two Josephs, and Jesus twins hanging out together in one of the stables.
The good news is that the Jesus Houses are now providing hours of entertainment for my first grader. She is still finding her way when it comes to what the whole story means, but one thing she has figured out, she likes to take Jesus with her everywhere she goes...
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