In the Family Circus cartoon, the little girl sits her baby brother on her lap and tells him the story of Christmas. It goes something like this: "Jesus was born just in time for Christmas up at the North Pole surrounded by 8 tiny reindeer and the Virgin Mary . . . Then Santa Claus showed up with lots of toys and stuff and some swaddling clothes . . . The 3 wise men and elves all sang carols while the Little Drummer Boy and Scrooge helped Joseph trim the tree . . . In the meantime, Frosty the Snowman saw this star . . . ." Thus concludeth the reading from the Family Circus.

We want to deal this morning with some of the simple, basic elements of the Christmas story. Hopefully, the rush and turmoil of pre-Christmas shopping, decorating, banquets, etc., is for the most part behind us, and no…