Here's our lovely nativity set that Mom made us in the window of our house. It is quite fun watching the adults and kids stare in at it as they walk by! As it is Christmas, here is a small exerpt from the most famous story of them all, with a few comments below.
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
This famous story has taken on a new reality to us of late. With Lara so heavily pregnant, we have some (previously unfelt) sympathy for Mary. Think about it for a moment. You're nine month's pregnant and are ordered to travel to another town, not in a large, comfortable car like we have, but either on foot or by donkey. That, in itself, has got to be quite a huge upheaval. Lara's uncomfortable enough in our car, as it is. Then, throw in the chaos of an overpacked town, with no space, even for a pregnant lady. A very pregnant lady.
I guess if I was Mary, I'd be thinking, ' Uh, hello God! What's this all about? If this is your son, why, exactly, am I in this dirty stable?' I mean, what an entrance for the Son of God. (and poor Mary! - no gas and air, or option of an epidural, or water birth tank, or... I mean, that has got to be scary enough, hasn't it?)
Another thing of interest which springs out of this story is the fact that, though those in Bethlehem, near Jesus, had no room for him, and rather ignored him, it was to a crowd of unreligious shepherds who God announced his son's birth - and they were quick to go find out more. (I wonder what Lara would think if a pack of gruff shepherd walked in to the hospital ward!)
Another interesting thing we heard in church last week was regarding the three gifts that the academics from the east brought with them. I doubt the slippers I gave Lara today would could as being prophetic, but these were;
Gold - the gift for a King.
Frankincense - this was burnt in the Jewish temple as an acompanyment / symbol of prayer. The indication of this is therefore likely to be about our relationship with God - and how Christ would make that SO much better. And Finally...
Myrrh - the modern day equivalent of this would be a coffin and some embalming materials.
These are not normal gifts for babies! (We've been given lots of baby grows and sleepsuits, a crib, and some lovely stuffed toys.) But the point here is that though Jesus was born, through his death (Myrrh) he would clear away the rubbish separating us from God, and restoring us in friendship with him (Frankincense). He would also usher in his new kingdom (Gold) where "there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away".
Amongst the joy and pain in this world today, I eagerly await the full appearance of that kingdom, and today pray; 'God, your kingdom come.'
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