MEDITATION:
Written by Nina Pope.
I don’t remember exactly when I became charmed by nativities. I did not grow up in a home that had any, but as my faith grew over the years, they clearly captured my heart and imagination. I began a collection of miniature nativities, easier to store and display than larger ones, and I loved the seeming simplicity of them but also discovered the artistry of their detail in spite of their tiny size. Many of them picture the nativity setting of another culture and feature materials relating to that culture. One example: a tiny nativity scene nestled within a dried seed pod ~ I admire the spirit of using what is at hand to showcase the universal blessing of Christ’s birth. One very precious nativity of mine is larger, a pewter cast of an elaborate scene including cherubs and animals crafted in exquisite detail from Bavarian tradition dating back to the 9th century. I am cheered to see the nativity pictured on ornaments, postage stamps, simple stickers, and crafts, gift wrap, or enacted interactively at our church Breakfast in Bethlehem. These images take us away from the secular and refresh our memories of the precious nature of God’s astonishing gift to all humanity, a baby savior born on that first long-ago Christmas.
SCRIPTURE: John 3:16
MUSIC VIDEO: O Come, O Come Emmanuel
Performed by Enya
Pathways Press.com 