Nativity

The Christmas Lamb

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And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. Luke 2:16-17 NKJV

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The beautiful manger scene at the entrance to the Assisted Living facility looked a little funny to me the first time that I passed it the other day. I saw wise men and shepherds; Mary, Joseph and lots of sheep but where was Jesus? When I asked at the desk they told me that one of the residents had pointed out that they couldn’t put Jesus in before Christmas because He wasn’t born until then. It seemed pretty logical to me so I shrugged my shoulders and laughed and then went in to sing carols. The following day as I brought some gifts that our church had donated I noticed a change in the Nativity. There was still no baby but someone had felt the empty manger needed an occupant and so a lamb was put in the place of Jesus. What better story could be told than the lamb of God laid in the manger at Christmas and laid and nailed on the cross just 33 Christmases later. God Bless and Merry Christmas!

 

Happy Birthday Jesus!

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“Where is he who has been born king of the Jews?  For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”  Matthew 2:2 ESV

Long ago when we were bringing children from our neighborhood to church we go to know a five year old boy named Dylan. One week when it was almost Christmas they were having a special Sunday school program, but Dylan wanted nothing to do with it unless one of us went with him. So I gently took his hand and we walked down the stairs to the little classroom together. There we sat in a circle on grade school sized chairs as the teacher talked about the Christmas story. Then she passed out cupcakes with a candle for each child.

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“Now Jesus was born on Christmas so let’s sing happy birthday to Him!” the teacher said smiling. First she carefully lit each candle and then we began to sing. Just as the last note faded Dylan happened to look up at a picture on the wall behind the teacher. There was a painting of Jesus but instead of a nativity scene, it depicted the Last Supper. As he looked closely, Dylan’s eyes got bigger and bigger until in excitement he jumped up, pointed to the wall and shouted, “Look it’s Jesus’ birthday party!”

Now, thirty years later, I have forgotten all the sermons I heard preached in that church, but the words of Dylan remain in my heart. This Christmas morning as we remember the wise men, shepherds angels, remember with Dylan whose birthday it is as you offer your heart to Him!

 

The Return of Jesus

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Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.           2 Peter 2:12 ESV

Last year the nativity scene at the entrance to our community was hit by raiders who must have decided that it would be a great joke to make off with the baby Jesus, leaving an empty manger. The rest of the Christmas season Mary, and Joseph remained along with a few sheep and camels but the child did not return even for Christmas Eve.

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When December of this year rolled around I looked forward hopefully to a reunited Holy Family. But my hopes were dashed when I saw the same lonely group appear forlornly kneeling around an empty place on the hay. And then this morning Jesus made His appearance. No doubt this Baby in the Manger is firmly anchored and watched over by security cameras.

Just like last year’s manger robbers, some of our lives have been robbed of a Christmas joy and are facing the holiday alone, tired and maybe even bored with the entire ritual. But we have a hope and a far better one than the replica of baby Jesus in a manger scene.  We have God’s promise that just as wise men traveled thousands of miles with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, Jesus has promised to return with His gifts of forgiveness, peace and eternal life. So whether we live alone in an apartment, lie in a hospital bed or are blessed with a loving family: we have hope. Our King will certainly return and when He does He has promised to fill forever that empty place that waits for Him in our hearts.  Nativity