Tell Me the Story of Jesus

Ever since Christmas I think Lexi has been fascinated with the birth, life and even death and resurrection of Jesus.  Several times a week right before bed Lexi says “Tell me the story of Jesus”.  And if you try to start anywhere in the story except “Mary and Joseph went to Bethlehem” you’ll find yourself starting over again.  I keep it simple and to the facts and don’t try to explain the whole thing of WHY Jesus came but we have to start somewhere right?  So this is what I tell them:

Mary and Joseph went to Bethlehem and tried to find a place to stay.  All the hotels (LOL, we don’t use inns) were closed so they had to stay in a stable (at which time Lexi interjects “Mommy, that’s a baarrnnn.” in her little drawl).  Jesus was born and put in a manger.  Jesus grew up and did wonderful things but some people got mad that so many people liked him so they decided to kill him.  They put him on a cross and nailed his hands and feet to the cross and he died (And don’t even think of skipping those details because Lexi will make you go back).  They put him in a tomb and three days later, he came alive again.  He stayed on earth for 40 days and then went back to heaven and one day He’s going to come back and get us.

And that’s almost verbatim what I repeat.  In fact, I stopped about halfway through that paragraph to put them to bed and Lexi asked me to tell it.

Well, in Target Saturday I saw in their Easter display they had an animated version of the Passion of Christ and they asked to get it.  They’ve watched it at least 3 times since then.  And it’s awesome.  It points out all the parts I just told except they really play up Judas and the Sanhedrin’s decision to crucify Christ.  Mary, Martha, the soldiers, Pilate, the earthquake, it’s all in there.  And they really get it.

Lexi was watching it today and in part of the movie it says Jesus died for peace and Lexi pipes up “and so we can go to heaven”.  I love that she’s amending a DVD and that I taught her that.

Tonight in our youth small group, we talked about why knowing that God created a perfect world mattered.  And I realized that Jesus is only half the story.  You have to start at the beginning.

So one thing I added tonight was the question ‘Do you know WHY Jesus came to earth?’  They said no, so I said:

When God created everything it was perfect and you remember when he created Adam and Eve (which they know from church and were like Yesss!)  and they disobeyed  God?  When we disobey God and do something bad it’s called sin and we can’t get into heaven with sin.  So when Jesus came and died on the cross, he took our punishment for us.  You know when you get in trouble and Mommy punishes you sometimes?  Well, Jesus takes our punishment for all the times we sinned and if we believe in Jesus, he takes our sin away and we get to go to heaven.

And Emma said, “I believe in Jesus.” and Lexi says “me too”.  And I said, “Me too because Jesus is awesome.”