Is Christmas Celebrated in Heaven?

I have started watching some of my favorite Christmas movies. On of them is the 1951 version of A Christmas Carol staring Alistair Sims. One of my favorite scenes is where Bob Cratchit asks for Christmas Day off, and after Scrooge scolds him for taking off this one day of the year, Bob's face lights up as he puts on his scarf and coat. The joy of anticipation shows all over his countenance. I know how Bob Cratchit felt, because I love Christmas as well. Another recent movie that is becoming a favorite is The Nativity. I love seeing the story acted out on the screen. Every year I read the story from the gospels, but there is something special about seeing each scene unfold. On Friday evening I attended a presentation at St. John Lutheran Church titled The Legend of the Christmas Angels. Part of the story explored the idea of how the angels interact with humans during Christmas.

All of this got me thinking about Christmas in Heaven. I wonder if each year a grand pageant is presented for all the heavenly residents? I have directed many Christmas presentations over the years. Many of them have included a nativity scene. The success of each presentation depended somewhat on the budget for costumes and sets, and the actors that were available, lighting and sound, music and all the elements that go into a Christmas pageant. There would be one huge advantage to the presentation of a Christmas pageant in Heaven. They have the original cast! No one has to wonder about what the costumes looked like, the script is exactly right, and there is no question about "did the angels say or sing?" The lighting would be perfect and the audio crew wouldn't miss a single cue. Can you imagine the power of the presentation as this wonderful story is enacted by all the people who were there more than 2,000 years ago? I wonder if everyone kids the innkeeper about not trying harder to find a room for Mary and Joseph? I believe the angel host that announced Jesus' coming to the shepherds numbered in the thousands on that wonderful night. I wonder if when they reenact the story in Heaven, they give other angels who might not have been there, the opportunity to shout "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

I hope they really do present The Nativity every year. And...if they do, that will be one of the highlights for my first Christmas in Heaven. I love this story, and what an incredible thing to see it re-enacted by the original cast. Merry Christmas.