Romans 11:17-27
Isaiah 65:1-7
Deuteronomy 29:2-4
Deuteronomy 31:14-23
Hebrews 3:7-15

“Mommy, can we build this today?”
My 7-year-old daughter pleaded with hopeful eyes as she lugged an old carboard box boasting a dollhouse on the front from deep in her closet.

“Where did you find that?”, I stalled for time. My preschool son chased his toddler sister, loudly picking on her by keeping her toys out of reach as he ran, as I washed breakfast dishes with one hand, the other arm cradling my infant nursing son.

“Not today, girlie. You need lots of time and space for that.”
I turned away only to hear, “I’ll be real careful. I can do it!”

I whirled around, envisioning a hundred pieces of wooden dollhouse parts strewn everywhere, “No. Mama said no. Not today.”
Face fallen, shoulders sagging, retreating to replace the hope-filled box.

Sisters, I regret to confess to you that dollhouse is still confined within that box fourteen years later.

It was just never the “right” day for me to lay everything aside, open the box, and relish in the relationship joys of laughter and exploration with my daughter. Now, my girl doesn’t have an interest in the box; the final opportunity for unpacking those delights passed me by years ago. I self-selected my exclusion.

Nicodemus had studied the Torah his whole life and had risen to the lofty religious rank of Pharisee. He knew the Law of Moses inside and out along with every prophet’s message, and much of it he could quote from memory. Likely, he could even sing Moses’ song delivered to Israel just before crossing into the Promised Land. (Deuteronomy 31:30-32:43)

Nicodemus was surrounded by religious elite. He ate with them, jousted theological points with them, fasted and prayed with them, and generally believed himself to be superior just as his other Pharisee friends believed about themselves.

Then Jesus began poking holes in his understanding of the Scriptures. The promised Messiah would come performing signs and miracles such as had never been seen, so the prophets foretold. (Isaiah 35:5-6) Jesus was, somehow, doing these things and ruffling quite a few feathers. The meal time banter had grown heavy and angry of late, and this Jesus and His signs were the topic of debate, and scoffing.

Wasn’t this Jesus of Nazareth?
Most men spit when they said “Nazareth”; everyone knows nothing good comes from the armpit of Judea. (John 1:46)

Signs and wonders as foretold?
Jesus? Messiah material?
Almighty King who would overthrow the Romans and return the Promised Land to its rightful rulers?

Mockery and sarcastic jokes at the carpenter’s son grew from jabs and smirks to contempt driven by deep offense. Jesus offended them, all of them. (Matthew 13:57)

They had no room for this would-be Messiah. In fact, they felt threatened by Him.

My arms were very full, literally and figuratively, the day my daughter hauled out that box, but I wasn’t ready to receive the gift she wanted to share. I couldn’t see past the dishes, and the baby, and the diapers, and the screaming toddler, to understand she wasn’t offering another mess, she was offering new memories.

Now, mamas, hold the guilt. We can all beat ourselves up over those “missed moments”, but the Lord redeems them all, I promise. And there’s more grace for you than you could ever realize. One my grace gifts is being able to tell this story without pain because my daughter and I share a beautiful relationship today, even with an un-opened box in the closet. It just so happens that this particular story also gives us a glimpse into the lavish gospel offer of Jesus.

Joshua, our unlikely Christmas character, would soon step into Moses’ sandals of leadership. Yes, the same Moses who parted the Red Sea and brought Israel out of slavery. Moses’ final act before passing the baton to Joshua was to sing a song the Lord God had composed just for Israel.

Its melodies would sing of the goodness of God and the tragic sins of Israel’s corruption.

The Lord had prepared the Promised Land for their possession, had waited patiently 40 years to give it to a new generation who would trust Him as their God. The door of friendship was open wide.

But Israel would prove faithless.
God sang about it before it even happened.

“This people have acted corruptly toward Him;
this is their defect —they are not His children
but a devious and crooked generation.  
Is this how you repay the Lord,
you foolish and senseless people?
Isn’t He your Father and Creator?
Didn’t He make you and sustain you?”
(Deuteronomy 32:5-6)

Nicodemus’ cohorts allowed their sarcastic mockery to turn to contempt against Jesus. They wanted Him dead,

But Nicodemus allowed his questions to propel him toward answers in Jesus. (John 3:1-21) Nicodemus laid down his offense of Jesus to explore the truth. In so doing, he gained eternal life. (John 19:38-39)

Joshua led Israel into the Promised Land and taught them to worship the One True God, but still, for all their knowledge, they closed the door on relationship with Yahweh in favor of temporary pleasures. (Deuteronomy 32:15-18)

I missed an opportunity with my daughter to build a beautiful dollhouse we could have enjoyed for the rest of her childhood, but I didn’t miss out on building a relationship with her.

We each have a relational choice this Christmas. Take out the decorations, make the meal, wrap the gifts, then tuck Baby Jesus away for next year.
Or.
Allow ourselves to explore beyond the manger, to ask the questions, and be honest with the Lord.

On the day I finally make it Home to Glory, I’ll want to trade stories with Joshua and Moses, but many, perhaps most, of those ancient Israelites won’t be there for lack of faith. Nicodemus will be, as Scripture records his faith, but many, if not most, Pharisees won’t be.

Today is the day; choose Jesus.