The children were tumbling all over each other in their excitement. Tonight was Christmas Eve and soon they would be going to the big cathedral for the Christmas service. It was a rare treat for them to dress up and leave the orphanage, especially for such a wondrous, magical experience. Nineteen small boys and girls were all scrubbed and dressed, ready to walk across the square and into the big church.
“Will we hear the big sound from the organ tonight?’ one girl in a bright blue dress asked Mother Miriam.
“Are there going to be bells?” piped up another eager voice.
“I bet there will be singing!”
“And afterwards, hot chocolate and Christmas treats.”
“And a present for everyone!!”
All talking at once. All but little Eliza.
Eliza was a new girl. She was small and very shy. She missed her mother and father all the time, but especially now at Christmas. Her mother had told her that they would bring her back home as soon as they had enough to feed and clothe her and keep her warm at night. But tomorrow was Christmas and they still hadn’t come.
Soon it was time to leave for the cathedral. Mother Miriam counted off, “One, two, three…nineteen. Nineteen small heads, where there should have been twenty. “Where’s Eliza?”
“She’s under her bed, Mother.” A boy near the window pointed to a cot in the far corner.
Mother Miriam called to Eliza that it was time to go. There was no answer. She spoke again, “Hurry, Eliza, the service is about to start.” Again, nothing.
Mother Miriam walked over to the corner and stood by the bed. “Eliza, you don’t want to miss this tonight. It’s like magic. Lights everywhere, like a thousand stars, and beautiful music. Won’t you come out from your hiding place?” Not a sound came from under the bed. So she got down on her knees and peered under. Eliza was curled up on the far side, with her head turned away.
“Eliza, dear, there will be Christmas bells and lovely songs; holly and wreaths decorating the doors and windows….” A faint stirring under the bed, then quiet. “And oh, the best part: a beautiful manger scene, with Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus and two real lambs.”
Eliza stayed where she was. Sister Ruth came into the room and, seeing the children still waiting and Mother Miriam nowhere to be seen, hustled them out the door.
Now Mother Miriam sat down on the floor. Eliza turned towards her, but still said nothing. “My sweet child, do you not want to see all these wonders? Won’t you come with me?”
Finally, a small hand appeared from under the bed. Mother Miriam held it gently, waiting for the rest of Eliza to appear. After several moments, when nothing more happened, Mother Miriam lay down on the floor herself and scooted her large body under the bed. She held the frightened and lonely child close to her warm body and gently, slowly, sang to her. Finally, the little girl’s body gradually melted softly into her loving arms.
So it is that the old story lives once again. For so very long, God called to the people to experience the wonder and joy of the holy presence, but for so very long, they did not respond. And so God decided to come to us. In the person of Jesus, God comes to where we are hiding in our own small world. As Jesus the Christ, God crawls in with us, in all our human longing and loneliness, holds us close and doesn’t let go.
“Who would think that what was needed to transform and save the earth, might not be a plan or army proud in purpose, proved in worth? Who would think, despite derision, that a child should lead the way? God surprises earth with heaven, coming here on Christmas Day.”
(verse 1 of a song from the Iona Community in Scotland)
(story adapted from an unknown author)