As I was unpacking my Christmas decorations several weeks ago, I began unwrapping my small four-piece nativity set. Mary Joseph, baby Jesus, and his crib. It looks rich in its muted gold color, but in reality they are formed plastic figures.

Their richness comes from our memories. I bought them at the St. Mary's Hospital gift shop in Rochester when Jim was having bypass surgery in 1976.

As I set the pieces out one by one, baby Jesus was missing. I relooked in the container where they come out of. No baby Jesus. One last look in the wrappings which were now in the garbage.

If I can't find the baby, I will have to throw the other pieces away, I thought.

Tightly wrapped in my piece of paper was the baby.

What good is the nativity without Jesus?

Jesus is the 'Reason for the Season'.

Dear Father God in Heaven, thank You that you introduced Jesus into the world and into our lives. What good is our lives without Him? You knew we needed help. We needed Him. So You sent Him. We can never we grateful enough. Thank You. And Thank You, Jesus. Amen.