“LOOKING WITHIN THE NATIVITY”

Sunday, December 11, 2022

Written by Rev. Mark Muckler

SCRIPTURE

4 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. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. 8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, - Luke 2:4-9

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this. – Isaiah 9:6-7

THOUGHTS TO PONDER

Nativity. What does that word mean? By definition, it is “the occasion of a person’s birth”. Used in a sentence, “… the place of my nativity …”. The word nativity is also related to the word native, the place of one’s origin. More specifically, during this season of Advent, we are reminded of the Christmas nativity, the birth of Jesus Christ, whose place of origin, if you will, is divine and heavenly.

Upon looking deeper into the Christmas nativity scenes we notice the Holy family of Mary and Joseph and the Christ child. And in some nativity sets we even see the wisemen/the three kings. We may see shepherds, and sheep, and angels. We may even see the star of Bethlehem dangling above.

My wife and I have been collecting nativity sets for years. Each one has a unique story of its own origin of where it came from, how it was made, who made it, and what it is made out of. To name a few, we have one made of olive wood from Bethlehem, Israel. We have several from Mexico made of either pewter or tin. We have one from Tanzania Africa made of straw and natural materials. We have some made of metal, or plastic, or wood. Some are painted and some are not, but each one has its own character and place of origin, its own place of nativity.

And yet even so, every single nativity set we have is similar, in that each one invites us, even begs us, to look even deeper within the meaning of such Christmas decor. As I see our nativity sets purposely and gloriously displayed throughout the house, I am again and again and again invited into the lives of Mary, Joseph, and the babe in the manger, who would become, and IS the Savior of ALL the world … Jesus THE CHRIST.

Whether United States natives, European natives, African natives, natives of Israel and everywhere in between and all around the world…. the Christmas Nativity is an invitation into a loving and redeeming relationship with Jesus Christ, the babe in the manger, the Wonderful Counselor, the Prince of Peace, the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, the Savior of the world.

And the longer I stare, and gaze into the story that the nativity tells, I am reminded of God’s love for me personally. And how that message of redemption and Gospel truth made its way from the little town of Bethlehem, across the oceans, here to the United States, to North Carolina, to Pilot Mountain … right into my own heart, mind and soul again and again and again. It’s who I am today as a disciple of Jesus Christ, it’s who we are together as co-missionaries. The gift of the nativity is a salvific remembrance to receive … and a mission to share with all the world.

FOR FURTHER REFLECTION

For each of us as pastors, preachers, deacons, chaplains, children and youth leaders, etc… every Advent we adorn our homes, our churches, and our places of ministry with Christmas decor and all the trappings of the season. But allow me to ask each of us this question. When was the last time you looked deep within the nativity for YOU? Not merely just putting some decorations out because that’s just sort of what we do year after year.

When was the last time you looked deep within the nativity, zooming into that stable because there was no room for them in the inn, zooming into the figures of Joseph and Mary, and seeing the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and laying in a manger?

When was the last time you looked deep within the nativity, and with the twinkle of the warm Christmas lights around you, and were reminded of Jesus, THE light of the world, and reflecting upon the realization that God would become both fully human and fully divine in Jesus Christ offering YOU life today and life everlasting.

If we are honest, the Advent & Christmas Season can be very busy for us and even our families too. If we aren’t careful, we can get so wrapped up in “doing” Advent & Christmas rather than intentionally looking deep within the nativity story and finding ourselves in it, “being still” to hear the hush of the Christ child’s voice to us even. Afterall, THIS child would be given the name Emmanuel: God With Us …

PRAYER:

Dear Lord, as Christmas approaches, may I not look past the Advent Season too quickly without first readying my heart and my home for more and more of you. Thank you for the privilege of serving You during this season. Speak to me and be revealed in me once again as You have called me to lead Your people. Be glorified in my own life and may the Spirit of Christ take up residency in my heart as I invite others to look deep within the nativity this season as well. I humbly offer this prayer in Jesus name. – AMEN

APPLICATION/RESOURCE:

Next time you see a nativity set or an outdoor nativity scene, pause for a few moments to look deep within. Open your heart and your mind once again to the invitation that Jesus bids you to come unto Him, knowing that He is already coming to you once again this Advent season.

Locate a nativity at church, or at home, or in your neighborhood. Maybe even buy one if you feel led to. And be intentional this season to pause and look deep within the Christmas nativity. For you just might discover the love of God for YOU once more.