Christmas Eve
Sammy: Guess what guess what guess what!
Pastor: What, Sammy? You seem really excited to tell us something.
Sammy: You are never going to believe what I saw!
Pastor: What did you see, Sammy?
Sammy: I was sleeping, okay? I was all curled up next to my maaamaaa and then all of a sudden, someone turned on the sun in the middle of the night.
Pastor: Someone turned on the sun?
Sammy: Yes! The sky was that bright! First there was darkness and little twinkly stars and then boom! A light as bright as the sun filled the sky. So of course I woke up. And you are never going to believe what happened next.
Pastor: Please tell us.
Sammy: I saw angels fill the sky. One angel named Gabriel told all of us: my maaamaaa, my cousins, and aunts and uncles, and even farmers Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John and the shepherds something really special.
Pastor: What did he say?
Sammy: Gabriel said, “Do not be afraid, for see, I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah,[b] the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” I just stood there with my mouth hanging open.
Pastor: What else happened?
Sammy: Well then the angels started singing! They sounded so good. Just like our choir here at St. Paul’s.
Pastor: Well what happened next?
Sammy: Are you serious, Pastor Jim? Of course I had to go see the baby. I love babies.
Pastor: Who went to go see the baby?
Sammy: My maaamaaa, my cousins, and aunts and uncles, and even farmers Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John and the shepherds, too. We all went.
Pastor: And, what did you think?
Sammy: The baby was so cute. His momma and dada wrapped him up in swaddling clothes just like the shepherds use for lambs and laid him in the manger—just like the manger I eat from. He’s a lamb just like me! But you know, Pastor Jim, I could tell that there is something really special about this baby.
Pastor: What do you mean?
Sammy: This baby is no ordinary baby. This baby shone brighter than all of the angels in the night sky. And I felt such peace when I laid down in front of the manger. And I knew in my heart that even I, a little lamb, am so loved.
Pastor: Sammy, you witnessed the greatest event in the history of man. God is with us. A savior is born to us. Boys and girls, let’s pray: Dear Jesus: Thank you for being with us. Thank you for guiding us. Thank you for coming to earth as a baby. Thank you for your love. Amen.
Sammy: I have a gift for each of the boys and girls here today. I have a little lamb for each of you to adopt into your family to remind you how much Jesus loves you. Pastor Jim, can you give everyone a lamb please?
Pastor Jim: Merry Christmas, Sammy!
Sammy: Merry Christmas, Pastor Jim! Merry Christmas boys and girls!