The Nativity Scene



    A nativity scene is featured in many homes at Christmas time.  In my family we also referred to it as the manger scene. Some sets include shepherds, sheep, and wise men - perhaps even camels - but central to the scene are Mary, Joseph, the baby Jesus and an angel. The scene reminds us of the religious meaning of Christmas, the celebration of Jesus' birth, and the much-loved story of how this came about. 

    Nativity scenes come in all shapes, sizes, and styles. This one that graces our home now once belonged to my mother. It has replaced the set that our kids grew up with since I gave it to my daughter. When the kids were little we hid baby Jesus until Christmas Eve. Vera and Peter took turns putting Jesus in the manger when we got home from church that night. When they became teenagers, and Peter had grown wiser, he realized that nobody would have been in the stable before Christmas Eve, so he hid Mary and Joseph, too. Vera would try to find where he hid them so she could put them back. In and out they went, all through Advent. 

    Fortunately our old nativity set did not include wise men. Tradition places the arrival of the Magi on January 6th. I'm sure Peter would have kept them hidden until Epiphany if he'd had that option.

    The story of Jesus' birth is based on tradition and legend. We can't know how many of the details actually took place over two thousand years ago. But something wonderful must have happened, or where would the stories have come from? The nativity scenes we have in our homes remind us of the wonder and magic of that first Christmas Eve. We can look at the figures in this awesome scene and feel some of the hope, joy, and reverence that filled the hearts of the people represented. I can almost hear the little angel sing: "Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with us."


You might also like: The Miracle of Christmas



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