Our church recently
held a family event where each family would construct a small nativity set, complete
with a barn, angel, shepherds, wise men, Mary, Joseph and Jesus. It was a great
evening as I enjoyed the chatter of a passel of children and adults who painted
and glued all around me, all the while enjoying hot chocolate and cookies! As
the evening wound down it was amazing to see the variety of styles among the dozens
of sets produced. Some were simplistic and traditional; some showed great
flourishes of artistic ability. While
there were many variations the basic components remained the same.
Now that you are
thinking about the nativity scene let me invite you to engage in a little
mental exercise. Think of the last nativity scene you saw. Picture that scene
in your mind in another way. What if you had no knowledge of the Christmas
story and your assignment was to deduce the story from that image of the
circumstances of Jesus’ birth? Would you conclude that the baby was of some
importance since he is surrounded by a crowd of middle-eastern nobles bearing
gifts? But if he has such notoriety why a bed of hay, and why a barnyard
maternity ward? What about the sheep, goats or other assorted animals? Why are
shepherds there; what is their purpose? Maybe the scene in your mind includes a
star and angel or two- does not the mystery grow ever deeper if you only look
through the frame of what you see before you?
I
think for the uniformed it would not really make sense. With its odd collection
of persons and objects the nativity set would likely generate more questions
than answers. The only reason we make sense of it, is that we have some
knowledge of the narrative of the Christmas story. We have from one source or
another been told or exposed to the unique (dare I say, seemingly bizarre)
account of the arrival of Jesus Christ.
Let’s take this one step deeper. It is only with the backdrop of the Bible’s account does it all ultimately make sense. From the Bible you learn that these events were recorded in prophecy centuries before the actual events. Scripture provides the back-story of the angelic announcements to yet unmarried Mary and a bewildered Joseph.
Let’s take this one step deeper. It is only with the backdrop of the Bible’s account does it all ultimately make sense. From the Bible you learn that these events were recorded in prophecy centuries before the actual events. Scripture provides the back-story of the angelic announcements to yet unmarried Mary and a bewildered Joseph.
The Word of God will
inform you of the Fathers love, the Son’s obedience, the angel’s worship, Mary’s
wonder, Joseph’s faith, the shepherd’s diligence, the wise men’s persistence
and the world’s Savior.
Maybe it is time for
you to get back to the source documents and read about it yourself. Perhaps you should connect (or reconnect) to
find direction for your soul as you are taught the message of the Bible.
If this exercise would
cause you to open your Bible or walk into a church, I would consider this
effort a great success.
Jesse Waggoner
