move me closer

The giant tiger in Michaela's nativity scene line-up (see previous post) was certainly her most eye-catching departure from the norm. Michaela loves wildcats, and identifies with them, so it seemed natural to us that she included the tiger. But I thought it might be interesting to post a close-up view in order to highlight Michaela's more fundamental breach of nativity scene orthodoxy: the manger has disappeared entirely, and baby Jesus has found his way into a wise man's arms! Something worth thinking about. Which reminds me of someone's Church-in-the-Box sharing from a few years ago:

Move Me Closer (A Shepherd's Prayer)

Twas the night before Christmas,
And my only desire
Was peace among kids, and to rest by the fire.
I had just settled down in my favorite chair;
When I heard a small voice, and a cry of despair.
As I stared at the hearth I saw a strange sight!
Our nativity scene, in the flickering light
Seemed almost alive!
And how could this be!
One lonely shepherd was calling to me.
***
chorus : Move me closer, move me closer
Move me closer to the Child.
Let me see Him, let me hold His hand.
Move me closer to the Child.
***
As you can well imagine, I was a bit surprised.
So with a shake of the head and a rub of the eyes
I took another look, and what did I see,
Without a doubt he was looking at me.
It seems in the hustle and bustle of things
In the wrapping of gifts, and the building of swings,
In assembling his scene, I'd been a bit hurried,
And understandably so, he was a little bit worried.
***
chorus
***
You see, candy canes and holly trim
Didn't mean a thing to him.
If it kept him from his post
Beside the child he loved the most.
So as strange as it must seem,
Whether it was, or wasn't, a dream.
I placed him back where he belonged
As he sang again his simple song.
And now when we at Christmas share,
We sing his song:
A Shepherd's Prayer.
***
Move me closer, move me closer
Move me closer to the Child.
Let me see Him, let me hold His hand.
Move me closer to the Child.
Move me closer to the Child.