Jimbo's Jots

Oh the joy it is to experience the excitement of Christmas morning! To get up early, fix breakfast and wait for the rest of the family to awaken. Ever so slowly they come out of their rooms, yawning and stretching and ready to eat breakfast. Then, at our house, it’s time to open presents. This past Christmas started out very similar to the past Christmases with one exception. My wife came out of her shower saying, “I just took a shower with a frog.” To which I replied, “Well, I had a cow in my shower!”

Then we heard the giggles! Not from our young children anxiously waiting to open presents. But from our adult children! Unbeknown to myself and my wife, our four adult children saw a TikTok in which a daughter had purchased little figurines and “hid” them around the house for the parents to find. So, for part of our Christmas this year, our kids did this. Each child had a small figurine that they had picked out. But it’s not just one, mind you. There are 30 of each. With 4, it’s 120 little figurines hanging about in our house. I am confident that we have not found them all. And once we do find them, they seem to move about the house.

I carry one of each of these in my coat pocket now. It reminds me of my kids and I pray for them. I think of how much fun they had telling us about hiding these treasures. If I can find another set around the house, I’ll probably put them in my car as well.

They also have reminded me of John’s account of Jesus’ life. Towards the end of his gospel story, John writes,

“Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” (John 20:30-31, NIV)

Jesus did many signs that his followers may believe. John recorded just some of the miracles that Jesus did.

Then I thought about how they would respond the next time, without Jesus. For example, I wonder what they thought at the next wedding they attended and had a sip of wine from a cup. Or how about the next little boy walking down the road carrying a lunch. Or each encounter they had with Lazarus after he had been risen from the dead. I wonder if they ever went back to the empty tomb.

They saw the signs from Jesus and believed. We “see” the signs of Jesus as we read the stories recorded and we believe. The signs can also show us the connection to Jesus in our lives. How about when Jesus provides for our physical needs when money seems a bit tight? How about when a friend offers to come and sit with us to comfort us in a time of hurt? It can also be a church that chooses to be the hands and feet of Jesus as it ministers to the needs of a community.

Our kids had a great time being able to share in the joy of a Christmas morning surprise. The joy continues, at least for me, as I’m able to carry them with me wherever I go. We, too, are able to share in the joy of knowing Jesus in our lives. We, too, can carry them with us wherever we go.

Be blessed in seeing the signs! Be a blessing to others along the way!