Every year at Christmas there is a house down the street where a light-up Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus are placed in the front yard. The manger scene is set in the brown grass right after thanksgiving and it remains until the Christmas lights come down and signs of spring appear.

Several times I’ve driven by this scene to find it in several different conditions. I have seen footprints in the snow leading from the sidewalk to the manger where babe Jesus lays and someone has taken snow and completely covered Jesus. They obviously had nothing against Mary and Joseph, as they were still standing lit and looking down at… a pile of snow.

Other times this light-up couple have not been so lucky. I have seen them standing on their heads in the snow with Jesus nowhere to be found. Another time I saw all three of these figures stuck high in the pine tree that sits right behind their usual place in the yard. I have seen them sitting on the front porch of the house, and some times simply knocked over.

Obviously someone finds this simple Christmas display offensive. Maybe they are reminded of the real meaning of Christmas and that is just too hard to handle.

I understand that Jesus does not always cause comfort, but conviction. I too, am guilty of throwing Jesus around this “yard” called my life. I have tried to hide Him and block Him out because I just don’t understand; and yes, in some cases, because I am offended by what He said or what He stands for. However, in the end all of us have to answer the question – what are we going to do with Jesus?

As the lights now decorate the houses around us, and the nativity scene is portrayed in many places, let’s ensure that Christ is in the right place in our lives. Don’t let this season go by with unsorted priorities. Recall the importance of this season and hold tight to the “Emmanuel” that has been sent to us to be a part of our daily lives.