You And A Manger

headcross What would Jesus think?

Last time I wrote about A Wheelchair And A Manger and wondered how Jesus would respond to the presence of a disabled person in the nativity circle.

As I considered comments and reactions, I realized that I avoided my own question. I began by asking “What would Jesus think?” but I wrote about my own self-consciousness and discomfort.

My real internal question was more like “What will they think?” as I focused on others’ reactions and expectations. I had to remind myself of a consistently-recurring theme in my life:

IT’S NOT ABOUT ME!

It’s shocking to my inflated self-image, but the path of service doesn’t begin and end at my feet. The characters surrounding the manger aren’t there to meet my needs. I’m not the center of the circle.

This really has nothing to do with a wheelchair or any other physical infirmity. It’s not a “disability” issue—it’s a human issue.

On our own, none of us holds claim to a place in that circle. My wheelchair simply provides a convenient excuse for self-centered myopia, a diversion from the realization that we’re all unworthy to enter that stable.

But we’re all invited; the star leads each of us, even those who roll or limp. That’s the hope of Christmas. That’s His message of love.

That’s grace.

That’s what Jesus would think.

What do you think?