Claire: "I want to be all sparkly!"

Claire dragged herself about the bedroom as the family prepared to attend the Christmas Eve church service. A prima donna who enjoys dressing up whether there is an occasion or not, Claire obviously didn't seem excited about the evening activity which would normally have her searching out her paten leather shoes, leopard sweater, and flouncy dress.

She and her sister Anna were to be characters in the church performance of the Christmas story. Anna had been assigned the part of an angel in the angel choir. Bedecked in tinsel and glitter, Anna was a vision in glitz.

Claire, on the other hand, was to be a sheep ... one of four, all plain and brown and undecorous. No singing Christmas carols from heaven or flopping flashy wings for this little one. She just had to stand in front of the hay-filled box and look ... sheepish.

This was not Claire's style. "I want to be all sparkly!" She bemoaned her role in the play, "... like Anna."

You know, Claire, I want to be all sparkly, too! Who doesn't want to live each day shining? Unfortunately, I am also wrapped in plain, brown paper, Claire ... a rather dirty, dismal farm animal, sometimes too dumb to get up when I fall over.

But I've learned an important lesson about sheep, my dear granddaughter. Not only has Jesus Christ forgiven us and washed us whiter than snow, the cleanest, most sparkling of whites, but He has given us a plan for shining!

We can sparkle in this farm yard. We can "shine among them like stars in the sky" when we hold firmly to Jesus and His Word ... It's the truth - Jesus says so (Philippians 2:15-16).

In fact, following Jesus shows great wisdom, and "those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever" (Daniel 12:3).

Sweetie, we sheep can shine! Even if we spend every day of our lives in the muck of the farm yard, we can SHINE, SPARKLE, GLITTER!  With Jesus. "Chin up, honey! You can always be sparkly for Jesus!"