Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. (1 Tim. 1:15-16)

In the play, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, a twelve-year-old named Imogene is a bona-fide delinquent. She does her best to convince the church pageant director to kidnap a real baby to play the part of Jesus. When the director explains that kidnapping babies isn’t a good idea, Imogene simply doesn’t get it.

Still, the show must go on. So, Imogene does her best to play the part of Mary. The role doesn’t fit her any better than tattered bathrobes fit the kids trying to act like shepherds. 

But, as Imogene cares for the doll that the church uses for a Christ child, something amazing happens. Her face softens, her love for her “child” seems to bathe her and her audience in a holy light, and she seems to understand something of God’s love for her.

The story is fiction, the transformation is not. When we gain even a childlike understanding of the love that sent the Christ child, our hearts soften, our love for the Son causes us to be bathed in his holy light, and God’s love becomes real. 

We love because he first loved us – sinners in need of a Savior. Even the worst of us can love him, and when we do his perfect patience and profound mercy are on brilliant display for all us Imogenes.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, if you can save sinners like Paul and Imogene, then I know you can save anyone — including me! Thank you for your perfect patience that claimed me, and now help me be patient as your mercy claims others.