It came as an invitation.

An unusual invitation. Not your normal request to attend a Christmas party, program or pageant.

The plea was for someone to teach morals and ethics, based on biblical principles, in the public schools. Opportunities were also offered to teach at prisons, businesses, the fire and police departments ... even at a large orphanage. And it came from the Russian Department of Education.

How would you RSVP?

Back in 1994, two Americans answered in the affirmative. They came as witnesses, as John the Baptist had done so long before them; came "to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him" (John 1:7). They believed that Jesus, the true light which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world (v. 8).

The experience of these two in the Russian orphanage proved to be particularly illuminating. According to one of them, "Will Fish" -- the name of a real person, perhaps, or a pseudonym for an anonymous Christian who is willing to "fish for people" (Matthew 4:19) -- there were about 100 boys and girls in the orphanage, children who had been abandoned, abused, and left in the care of a government-run program. Will Fish tells the following story of what happened when the holiday season approached, and it was time for the orphans to hear -- for the first time -- the traditional story of Christmas.

"We told them about Mary and Joseph arriving in Bethlehem," says Fish. "Finding no room in the inn, the couple went to a stable, where the baby Jesus was born and placed in a manger. Throughout the story, the children and orphanage staff sat in amazement as they listened. Some sat on the edges of their stools, trying to grasp every word.

"Completing the story, we gave the children three small pieces of cardboard to make a crude manger. Each child was given a small paper square, cut from yellow napkins I had brought with me. No colored paper was available in the city. Following instructions, the children tore the paper and carefully laid strips in the manger for straw. Small squares of flannel, cut from a worn-out nightgown an American lady was throwing away as she left Russia, were used for the baby's blanket. A doll-like baby was cut from tan felt we had brought from the United States.

"The orphans were busy assembling their mangers as I walked among them to see if they needed any help. All went well until I got to one table where little Misha sat -- he looked to be about six years old and had finished his project. As I looked at the little boy's manger, I was startled to see not one, but two babies in the manger.

"Quickly, I called for the translator to ask the [boy] why there were two babies in the manger. Crossing his arms in front of him and looking at his completed manger scene, the child began to repeat the story very seriously. For such a young boy, who had only heard the Christmas story once, he related the happenings accurately -- until he came to the part where Mary put the baby Jesus in the manger.

"Then Misha started to ad lib. He made up his own ending to the story as he said, 'And when Maria laid the baby in the manger, Jesus looked at me and asked me if I had a place to stay. I told him I have no mamma and I have no papa, so I don't have any place to stay. Then Jesus told me I could stay with him. But I told him I couldn't, because I didn't have a gift to give him like everybody else did. But I wanted to stay with Jesus so much, so I thought about what I had that maybe I could use for a gift. I thought maybe if I kept him warm, that would be a good gift. So I asked Jesus, "If I keep you warm, will that be a good enough gift?" And Jesus told me, "If you keep me warm, that will be the best gift anybody ever gave me." So I got into the manger, and then Jesus looked at me and he told me I could stay with him -- for always.'

"As little Misha finished his story, his eyes brimmed full of tears .... The little orphan had found someone who would never abandon nor abuse him, someone who would stay with him -- for always." (Jon Kennedy, "A supposedly true Russian Christmas Story," Silicon Valley Today, www.svtoday.com/svt/dec97/122497.htm. Retrieved May 28, 2002)

We call Jesus by the name Immanuel, which means "God is with us." In this Advent season, we discover, like the orphan Misha, that the God who came in Jesus Christ will never abandon or abuse us, but will stay with us -- for always.

Jesus promises to be with us:

- When the cancer biopsy comes back positive, instead of negative.

- When the final exam is marked with an "F," rather than an "A."

- When the spouse of fifteen years stomps out the door, and doesn't return.

- When the dream of success in business is once again downsized and diminished.

- When the late-night long-distance call communicates a death, not a birth.

- When the longing for family harmony is shattered by a shouting match.

- When the desire for companionship is drained by another lonely holiday season.

In all these depressing, discouraging, and disillusioning situations, our Lord is with us as Immanuel, God with us. We're never completely without companionship or support, as long as there are two babies in the manger.

So, why don't we do a very good job of keeping Jesus warm? What is it that threatens to separate us from the Christ-child these days?

Part of the problem is blindness -- we simply don't see the manger. In our frantic search for comfort and joy, we look for lasting pleasure in all the wrong places: Clubs and classes, parties and programs, Internet chatrooms and professional conferences. Sure, there is certainly some good to be found in these gatherings, but they also distract us from the one place we can find unconditional acceptance and unending peace: In the manger. It is only in a close relationship with Jesus Christ that we discover how truly valuable we are, as children of God.

There is also the problem of our incessant busyness -- we just don't have time for the manger. This is one I struggle with every year, especially during Advent. Our days are driven by endless office parties, school concerts, church pageants, and shopping excursions, not to mention the cultural requirements of holiday decorating and Christmas-card-writing. Kind of ironic, isn't it, that the escalating demands of Advent prevent us from taking time to focus on the reason for the season? Each of us should carve out an evening this week just to slow down and rest. Pretend that the Christ-child has been born this day in your particular house, requiring you to simply stay home and keep him warm.

In addition, we face the challenge of doubt -- sometimes we don't believe in the manger. The world is such a violent place, and so often victory seems to go to the powers with the largest arsenals and the most ruthless tactics. What chance does a baby in a manger have against suicide bombers, serial killers, machine-gun-toting terrorists, and brutal, corrupt governments? It's not a fair fight. And yet, no single life has changed the world more than the life of the baby of Bethlehem, a life that challenges people to look beyond this world to the kingdom of God.

The bottom-line question is: Who do we want to be in bed with? People of terror and violence, or the prince of peace?

There's always room for another baby in the manger.

If we make the trip to Bethlehem, we find the One who will stay with us on our journey, every step of the way, and will guide us toward an everlasting kingdom, one marked by love and peace and justice. If we give this baby comfort and support, we will find true comfort and support for ourselves as well.

But there is more to Advent than the pursuit of personal peace. In this time of preparation for Christmas, we are also challenged -- challenged to testify to the power of Christ in our own lives, and to tell the world about what Immanuel is up to.

That's what Will Fish and his colleague did when they traveled to Russia. That's what little Misha did when he put two babies in the manger. And it's what John the Baptist did when he came as a witness to testify to the light of Christ, so that all might believe through him (v. 7). John has one function in the Gospel of John, and one function only: To witness to Jesus (v. 8).

There's a lesson in this for us. Our challenge as Christians is never simply to stay close to Jesus, and to enjoy his forgiveness, acceptance and peace. We also need to explain to the world why we are choosing to be one of two babies in the manger.

Jesus invites you to join him in the manger. Enjoy him always, and share him in all ways. Maybe you'll adopt a low-income family this Christmas, and direct a significant percentage of your gift-giving toward them. Or you'll promise to pray in a consistent, disciplined way for a troubled region of the world. Or you'll agree to mentor a young person preparing for membership in the church. Or you'll brainstorm with others about creative and compassionate ways to reach out to the neighborhood. Or you'll teach a class of children, opening their minds and hearts to the stories of the Bible. Or you'll ponder how best to live out your Christian faith in the workplace. Or you'll include in your New Year's resolutions a commitment to daily prayer and Bible study. Or perhaps you'll talk with friends about what Jesus means to you, and why you feel a need to be close to him.

The invitation has been extended. How will you RSVP? Amen.

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