Real People
Unlike most other Advent seasons, this year I was the one setting out the Nativity set. Usually one of the kids calls dibs on setting it out, but I think this year was supposed to be my year.
The set is the one I received from my maternal grandparents when I was two years old. It has been displayed and put away over 40 times (and played with countless more times!). While taking each fragile piece out of the box, I reflected on each character. I say the word “character” lightly because that makes it sound like the Christmas story is fictional. Instead, I placed each real person in the crèche, the scene of Jesus Christ's birth.
First, I hung the angel from the top of the crèche. This messenger from on high helped make history go a lot more smoothly. From Mary’s annunciation that she would bear a son and name him Jesus to messages delivered to Joseph, the angel Gabriel and other supporting angels really helped communicate God’s plan and likely reassure pondering and concerned hearts during that time.
Next, I placed a shepherd. Graced by the message of an angel, he was among the first to know about Jesus’ birth and also among the first on the scene to meet baby Jesus. Of course, Mary and Joseph were placed in the center of the Nativity scene. Here were two parents awaiting the birth of their child, relieved that they had a space to lie their head, but understandably exhausted and anxious from their travels and current situation. Animals and a bale of hay surrounded these real people.
Baby Jesus was placed on a nearby shelf, so as to wait for his official arrival on the scene. The three wisemen were set off at a distance because their time to honor Jesus is further down the line. My daughter Aubrey must have thought my scale of distance was inaccurate, so she moved the wisemen farther away from the stable scene.
During Advent, we set out our Nativity sets, we go on Nativity walks, and we watch children recreate the birth of Jesus to be reminded that Christmas is about real people…people with a really big purpose. I hope you can take some time to sit in front of your Nativity set at home or at church, or attend a Christmas program, and just sit with the story of real people, with a really big purpose.
As we approach the third Sunday of Advent, here is something to add a little extra JOY to your heart.
My mother-in-law recently posted an adorable photo with the caption “Christmas from the eyes of a child.” It was an awesome reminder to take time to slow down and reflect on Christ’s Nativity with wonder and awe. Take three minutes and watch this video for more Christmas-from-the-eyes-of-a-child joy: Christmas According to Kids.