GI Joe at the Manger
By Jennifer N. Hatch
It was a momentous day when I bought my first “grown-up” nativity set. I had some “child-friendly” nativity sets I had painted or sewn in relief society with what little talent I had for painting and sewing…my attempts were valiant, yet my results less than satisfactory. My husband and I were struggling financially as we were raising a family, going to school and trying to survive in the less than family-friendly economics of Southern California. So after about ten years of marriage, I had scrimped and saved and sacrificed enough to buy a beautiful nativity set. I wanted my children to experience the sense of reverence and awe that I felt when I thought of the birth of the Savior, and I hoped that this would be a way for them to begin to understand what an important event this was. I so very carefully unpacked the crèche, and placed it in the center of our home, where my family would see it often. I loved to sit quietly in the evening when the children were in bed and look at the nativity and appreciate its beauty and its meaning.
A few days later, I passed by the crèche and had to stop and do a double take. There was something different. My eyes passed quickly over the figures and stopped – there was an interloper in the manger. For among the shepherds who had come to see the baby Jesus was a 12-inch GI Joe action figure in full camouflage and a rifle over his shoulder, looking down at the Christ child. Now, my first reaction was to pluck him up and remove him from my beautiful nativity – but some instinct stopped me and I decided to wait and see what would happen. After all, I wanted my family to think more about the birth of the Savior, and obviously, one of my sons had. I said nothing and observed the gathering that occurred in my home that Christmas at the manger. By the time Christmas had arrived, the wise men had been joined by a Star Wars figure with light saber guarding the baby Jesus as well as a Barbie joining in the heavenly chorus and Batman, spiderman and a host of Hot Wheels worshipping the newborn king. My beautiful nativity has never looked more beautiful than that season.
My children taught me a great lesson that Christmas. They reminded me that ALL are invited to the manger – not just those who we expect to be there. That our Father in Heaven did not just invite a chosen, special few to worship the Son of God, but that every person on this earth, regardless of level of faith or testimony or understanding is invited to worship at the feet of our Savior. ©2007 Jennifer N. Hatch
