Luke 2:1-20
On the night you were born…
When my first daughter was born, my parents gave me the book by Nancy Tillman entitled “On the Night You Were Born.” The story encapsulates the mystery, wonder, and magnificence of a child coming into the world. It states at one point that cliched phrase “Life will never be the same.” A true statement, but not always the way one might think.
I love the sentiment of the book and the beautiful illustrations and prose, but it always reminds me of the nativity of Jesus. The moments for Mary and what she might have experienced. The word nativity simply means on the occasion of a person’s birth. Yet, unlike this beautiful children’s book, the night Jesus was born was in reality probably less magical than we imagine. Which leads me to our obsession with nativity scenes.
If you look around your house right now, how many nativity scenes do you have set up? Are they perfectly placed and manicured with the shepherds, wisemen, donkey, holy family, and angel all glowing and dressed in beautiful gowns? Over the years I have made it a task to find strange, and imperfect nativity scenes. As a pastor I have way too many of them, but mine range from teeth marked little people, to black bears dressed as people, to a forgotten antique blow mold collection of only Mary, Joseph, and Balthazar. My favorite nativity scene resided in my Philosophy professor’s house in college. His included a Spiderman hanging upside down from the rafters, and a one legged GI Joe filling in for one of the wisemen. He explained that his kids place whoever they feel needs to be there. He told them years ago that the nativity of Jesus is for all of us and everyone is welcome to show up, to be seen and loved. His comment has always stuck with me because is not this message of Christ always?
The nativity of Jesus was messy, loud, scary, and holy all at the same time. The night Jesus was born would make sure life for all of us would never be the same and yet what makes it that way is not because it sits frozen in time with a pureness that cannot be attained or touched, but because it is so human and incredible that we are all part of it. Just like the table, we are welcome to the stable. To the moment where God entered the world through a crying, messy child that would change the world. Change the world by loving.
Questions for Reflection:
- What stories have you heard about your own birth?
- How do you feel part of Christ’s birth story? How is God coming into the world and experiencing humanity for you, and all people impact your relationship with God?
Prayer:
Immanuel,
Come into our hearts this day, knowing that you know our human experience and come bearing hope, love, and faith. May the messiness of the manger allow us all to feel welcome in your story of love. The night you were born made it possible for new life and a beloved community to be created. Amen.
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