Gather In The Family

I watch Lennon playing with the Nativity scene. He gathers everyone in as close as they can be around the baby and I remember doing the same thing as a child.

My grandmother had a what not stand where she kept an assortment of little figurines, including a manger with baby Jesus, Mary and Joseph, shepherd boy, lambs, kings, the whole bit, out all year. I would play with it when I went to visit, playing out different little fantasies. They were not always holy little fantasies, children are honest little creatures, but they always ended up with everyone gathered together, warm and close and safe.

I inch in closer to Lennon so I can hear him playing, “Hurry Joseph, follow me. Our arch enemy King Herod is coming.” He moves the shepherd boy closer, grabbing the baby in the manger and putting him into a nearby box. “Angel, get Herod’s henchmen, wipe them off the face of the earth! I’ll lock the baby in a secret room where nobody can find him!”

As I lean in listening, it occurs to me that someone probably did the same thing to me. Now, even all these years later, I am mortified to think about that!

Then, as Lennon places all the figures close together into that secret room and locks his door against the invisible bad guys, I realize no one ever censured me for my little thoughts back then. Had they known all along who I was and loved me anyway? It is a difficult thought for me to grasp.

I haven’t changed much at all. I still have the same type of fantasies, still want the same things. I love the idea of the family gathered in close and warm, safe and sound together for Christmas.