Emma and Me

Emma and I put up our nativity scene today. Daddy was outside putting lights on the house (don't feel sorry for him, as much as he complains he's pretty proud of himself when they're done) and Miley was asleep, so Emma and I busied ourselves with the nativity. She was so excited to help. She carefully unwrapped every piece and helped me put them all in place. She listened so intently as I told her the story of the baby Jesus. (Well, first she was calling Him "Baby Moses," but that's ok. I straightened her out...) Anyway, she was so quiet and attentive as I told her the story. If you know my Emma at all--she's NEVER quiet and attentive. She's as busy as a bee 24 hours a day. She never sits still. But it was the strangest thing. It was like she knew that what I was telling her was important. She was quite appalled to find out that the baby Jesus was born in a barn, but was ok with it when I told her there were just no hospitals around. (Ok, I know, that's not the exact reason, but she's 3. I had to modify a little. I just don't think she's quite old enough to understand that Herod had a vendetta against all Jewish baby boys and that it just so happened to be tax time....) She was of course most interested in the camel and the sheep, but you know, she still got the story. I told her that Jesus was born to be our "forever friend," and she seemed to really like that part. I know she understood a little because later in the afternoon she reminded me that baby Jesus was in His mommy's tummy just like Miley used to be in mine. That made me smile and warmed my heart to know that she understood--at least in her 3 year old, innocent way.