I’ve only attended one Christmas play this year, but I believe it was the best. First Baptist Church’s Wee Care students performed this week, and my granddaughter Olivia portrayed Mary.

I doubt there has ever been an actress who took her role more seriously.

Olivia walked onto the stage with “Joseph” and sat at a table. The angel appeared with the Good News, the couple walked to the center-stage inn and were refused entrance, then moved to the manger.

Only then did Olivia seem bothered. She noticed that the baby was already in the manger, so she quickly scooped the baby up, placed him on the platform behind her, then waited on her cue from the narrator to ‘give birth.’

From that point, children ages 1 through 4 delighted the standing-room-only crowd by singing Christmas songs.

It was a wonderful evening, which caused me to reflect on the events that preceded Jesus’ birth. Life must have looked pretty good to Mary before the angel’s visit. Her engagement to Joseph was likely the fulfillment of her dream.

Then the Holy Spirit surrounded her, the power of God overshadowed her and Jesus, the Word in flesh, was implanted in her. Her dream was about to take on incredible new dimensions.

The Word inside of her caused her to grow, but not just physically.

He changed her plans and challenged the thinking of those with whom she was in contact.

A few months later, while most of the world was sleeping, she brought forth Life when Jesus, the Light of the world, was humbly born in a stable. The One Who had already changed her was about to shake the community and eventually the world.

Every time I reflect on the first Christmas, I am challenged. Have I made room in my heart for Jesus? Will I allow Him to change me, enlarge my vision and challenge my thoughts?

I need to take those questions as seriously as Olivia took her role.

Ronny Michel may be reached at rmichel@rtconline.com.