From Missing Figures to Real Hope: What the Nativity Teaches Us
It looked like maybe a bad storm had blown through the area at first glance. Six were knocked down, including a camel and an angel, but Jesus was still secure and smiling in the manger. I didn’t witness the incident, but when my almost 3-year-old twin grandchildren left the house, I discovered the Fisher Price manger set was not looking so Christmas-y! I wish I knew the story line they had running in their little brains while playing with the nativity set.
I also found Mary and Baby Jesus from a ceramic set that had been sitting on a table. Mary and Jesus were in their proper positions but somewhere on the floor near the Christmas tree. I have filed a missing person alert on Joseph, however. I don’t know what the abductor has done with the Joseph. I can report that in both cases Jesus endured the storm and has a peaceful look on his face.
These two incidents got me thinking about the Christmas story, which I read again this morning from Luke’s gospel. And I am sad to say that long before cell phones, the Internet, and all forms of social media, it seems that we may have all participated in some fake news concerning the birth of Jesus.
The birth of Jesus is completely true, as is his life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension. Many people saw Jesus and gave testimony to these events in the text of scripture. But over the years we have allowed our Christmas songs and our delightful children’s Christmas pageant to become the source of what we know, or think we know, about the birth of our Savior.
If you read the second chapter of Luke you will find:
0 camels
0 donkeys
0 kings
0 cows
0 sheep
0 inn keepers
0 inns
Many scholars believe a more accurate translation of “inn” would be guest room. And while the scriptures do not tell us, the historians and bible scholars tend to think that it was likely that Mary and Joseph ended up with some relatives of Joseph’s since he was from this region.
Honestly, I don’t know that anyone has been harmed by the various nativity scenes and dramas we do. And they may well have a lot of details correct. I don’t think Jesus is particularly concerned if we speculate some on how things took place that night in Bethlehem. Like I mentioned in the story of the twins and the nativity set at my house, Jesus was and is doing just fine even when we get the details wrong.
You may be dealing with financial difficulties, health issues, holiday stress, or holiday blues, but I want you to know that Jesus is nearby and has not, nor will he, abandon you in whatever you are going through this Christmas. God sent his son to us to make a way for us to be forgiven, healed, renewed, and restored. Jesus wants to reveal himself to us today and throughout Christmas and beyond by his Spirit, in his word, and through his church.
Father, thank you for the gift of your son. Thank you that no matter what goes on in the world around us that you are present and will get us through the difficulties and distractions that come our way. We love you. Be near us Lord Jesus, amen.
Your Time with God’s Word
Luke 2:6-20 ESV
Photo by Chris Sowder on Unsplash
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