By the Waters of Babylon – Ps 137:1
Tom was fourteen years old and big for his age – physically. But mentally he was about four – severely, educationally impaired. Nevertheless, he had faithfully attended Sunday School for practically all of his fourteen years. Tom was certain about one thing, and that was that Jesus was his Savior.
In the Sunday School Christmas pageant, Tom had only one line. He was cast as the innkeeper, and all he had to say was, “There is no room” when Mary and Joseph came to the inn looking for a place to stay.
Tom practiced his one line for weeks until he could open the door at the correct moment, listen to Joseph’s request, and then in a strong voice proclaim, “There is no room!”
The evening of the pageant came. All the Sunday School children were dressed in authentic costumes. One young girl played Mary – who was “great with child”, Her face glowed with joy and pride. A lad dressed as Joseph tried to look mature and very responsible.
Mary and Joseph came down the aisle of the Church and knocked at the door of the “inn”. Right on cue, Tom pushed the door open, and after Joseph made his request, Tom responded, “There is no room!”
But, at that point, Tom had forgotten that he was in a play. His impaired mind didn’t understand, really, what he was doing. So, as Mary and Joseph turned to walk away, tears ran down Tom’s face. Suddenly, he called out to them, “Wait! Don’t go!! You can have my room!”
This Christmas, in the midst of a pandemic, open the room of your hearts and compassion to those who need you. Make your heart and soul “a quiet manger kept open for Jesus.”
