Art Reading Scripture

Nativity Scenes from Home

So (the shepherds) went with haste and found Mary and Joseph and the child lying in the manger. Luke 2:16

At Christmas we decorate the house with a tree, drape garland, and make the house festive. Many homes display a Nativity Scene. Traditionally the most appropriate place to set the scene up is under the Christmas tree to show that amongst all the gifts we give to each other, Jesus is God's gift to us. Pictured are two Nativity Scenes we have at home. One is very traditional, Italian, and includes all the characters. The other is from Guatemala and focuses on the visit from the magi.

St. Francis assembled a live manger scene in 1223 for a Christmas Mass. It was humble filled with hay, an ox and donkey. Prior to Francis the Christ child was most often depicted in a more regal fashion, sitting up like an adult ruler, gazing out as his subjects. Francis focused the attention for his village on Jesus poverty and humility. He wrote, "I would like to represent the birth of the Child as it took place at Bethlehem, so that men should see with their own eyes the hardships He suffered as an infant, how He was laid on hay in a manger with the ox and ass standing by." He emphasized for his people that God became human, vulnerable, and in need of comfort and care. God in the form of baby Jesus became approachable, lovable and even one who needed protection in human hearts from the threats of the sin of the world. A cradle with a doll became a primary symbol of devotion and care. In the 1300's young women entering the convent as nuns received a cradle and doll upon making their vows as an aid to their devotions and prayers. Luther's Christmas song "From Heaven Above To Earth I Come" seems to presume a manger scene as it invites those gathered to "see, to let you know that it is he: In manger-bed, in swaddling clothes ... Look, look dear friends look over there, what lies within the manger bare?" Nativity displays beckon us to see and reflect on the wonder of God becoming one of us.

Nativity scenes pull together the whole story at one time. While Luke knew nothing of the magi, and Matthew did not mention shepherds, and neither said anything about animals, all of them show up in traditional manger scenes. Where the scene is condensed often the shepherds, the humble ones who are left out in favor of including the magi/kings bearing gifts. In devotion, meditating on this scene of humility and poverty, one is drawn to wonder what response we might make, what we have to offer in gratitude and wonder to God who is born an infant. The carol "In The Bleak Midwinter" poses the question to those who look and wonder still at this scene. "What can I give him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd I would bring a lamb. If I were a wise man I would do my part. Yet what I can I give him - give my heart." Devotion, our heart, as sacred as it is, is also limited, only part of what we are called to consider. St. Francis hoped that as people viewed the poverty and humility of the Holy Family that they would transform their devotion into love and service to their neighbor in need. The poor should never be left out in favor of drawing attention to the kings. To give one's heart is both to love God and to love neighbor.

Nativity Scenes are more than decorations. They intend to tell us the story, bring us to devotion, inspire us to be filled with wonder, sent with love, to go forth glorifying and praising God, and with Mary to treasure these things in our hearts. The closing blessing of the Christmas Eve service is a blessing for those who see and sing this story: "May you be filled with the wonder of Mary, the obedience of Joseph, the joy of the angels, the eagerness of the shepherds, the determination of the magi, and the peace of the Christ Child. Almighty God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit bless you now and forever. Amen.

Keep the faith. Say your prayers. Love like Jesus.

Pastor Tim Bauer