Emphasis Preaching Journal

Russian peasants pass along from generation to generation an interesting Christmas story. It is the story of the Babouska, a very old lady who lives on from generation to generation. According to tradition, the wise men, on their way to greet the Christ-child, stopped at her home and invited her to accompany them to see the newborn baby. She consented, but being a fastidious housekeeper she determined that she should leave her house in very good order. So she bent to the task of her housecleaning. When that task was finished she was ready to depart. But the wise men had not waited for her, for they were anxious to reach their destination. So they were gone when she finished her housework. As a result, she failed to see the newborn Christ. So her life became one of searching for the Son of God. According to the Russian tradition, she takes the place of our Santa Claus. Her duty, generation after generation, is to fill the stockings of children on Christmas morning, hoping that she will thus come upon the Christ-child. She fancies that among the many children whose hearts she warms, she may find the Christ-
child whom she neglected long ago. She does not realize that in performing these deeds of love she has found the Christ-child. It is his love for all that fills her heart and leads her to do kind deeds. The true spirit of Christmas and the presence of Christ have filled her heart. The account of Christ's birth is more than a story. It is a challenge to let the love of the Christ-child determine our actions. -- Lentz