Traditional Nativity Scene
Walking around we see the traditional nativity scene: Mary, Joseph and Jesus in the manger, a cow, donkey, a few sheep, a shepherd and three kings with their gifts and camels. Above the stable will be either a star or an angel. The Christmas story all wrapped up in a neat little package…or is it?
“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, ‘Fear not: for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.’
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.’
And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another,’ Let us go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.’
And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.”
Luke 2:8-17 KJV
The shepherds left immediately to find the baby in a manger…who were they seeking? They went in search of a Savior, Christ the Lord.
What makes Jesus our savior? He became our substitute sacrifice on the cross, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. He came to make reconciliation between God and man, bringing us the peace and goodwill foretold by the angels.
Jesus was born in a stable, not because there was no room at the inn or because they were a poor family, though those circumstances paved the way for him to be born in a stable. Jesus came as the Lamb of God. Where else would a lamb be born but among the animals?
Who were the first to inspect a lamb and make sure it made a sufficient sacrifice? The shepherds, God leaves nothing to chance. The angels appeared to the shepherds, the first to be told about Jesus’ birth.
Traditional Nativity Scene
Part 2
Fast-forward a year or two. Wise men from the east enter Jerusalem and begin to inquire, “Where is he that is born King of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.”
We always see three kings, riding on their three camels, each carrying a small box. We’ve even given them names, Balthasar, Caspar, and Melchior. But in reality, we don’t know how many there were or how large their caravan. We know there were at least two, they were coming to honor a king and they brought gold, frankincense and myrrh. They would have brought the best they had to offer and probably a whole entourage with them.
It may seem that the Magi made a mistake in going to Jerusalem first. Sometimes we follow God’s direction and end up in what looks like the wrong place. But don’t assume it’s the wrong place; it could be to find direction for your next step or to influence another person in their walk.
In Jerusalem the Magi discovered that Jesus was to be born in Bethlehem, the whole city became aware of the birth of the King, and Herod heard the news that set in place fulfillment of prophesy.
They wasted no time in heading to Bethlehem as soon as they knew of the clarifying prophecy. And God sent the star ahead of them to make sure they found the right place.
“When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
And when they were come into the house, (not the stable), they saw the young child (not the baby) with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.”
Matthew 2:9-11
They did not go to the stable to meet the Lamb of God; they went to the house to honor a King.
Jesus came first and foremost as our savior, the Lamb of God to make reconciliation between God and us. When we come to him as our Savior, we bring him our worst; our sins, our fears, our pain, our shame. He doesn’t want us to get our act together first and then come to him. He wants us to come as we are with all our garbage and let Him take care of the worst we have to offer.
But we also come to him as our King. And as our King we bring Him our very best. We bring our gold: our gifts, talents and abilities. We bring our frankincense: our worship, praise and adoration. We bring our myrrh: our obedience and self-denial.
Jesus wants our very best and He wants our very worst. He wants us to come to Him with all that we are and place our lives in His hands, our Savior, our King.
TRICIA LATHROP 