The Nativity Set by Carol Harrison

                                                              

I hurried into the department store, glad to be out of the bitterly cold December weather. Just inside the store I stopped at a display of nativity sets. Bins of individual figurines sat beside the shelves holding the complete sets. My Christmas shopping list quickly disappeared from my mind as I stared longingly at the display.

I had always wanted to have a nativity set as part of my Christmas decorations. Yet years of holidays had come and gone and owning my own set remained nothing more than a desire. I always told myself that someday I would get one. I just didn't know when. Usually all the sets I saw and liked were beyond my budget. The most beautiful ones were delicate and breakable which would have been impractical in a house with children.

But the prices attached to these bins were affordable. My hopes soared as I began sorting through the containers of pretty yet unbreakable pieces. I started wondering if I could find all the figures needed to make up a complete nativity set. Excitedly I picked up Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus. Next I pulled out a few different shepherds and three unique wise men. Then I found a donkey, sheep and even camels. Finally I discovered an angel. I put them all into my shopping cart and began searching the shelves for a stable but all of them were part of full sets. Undaunted I completed the rest of my shopping and purchased all the affordable figures. I could keep looking for an inexpensive stable or get someone to nail a few rough boards together to represent one.

Eagerly I headed home with all my Christmas surprises and treasures. Later that afternoon I gathered the children around the Christmas tree and began to tell them about Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus while I placed them under the tree. Then I told them about the shepherds on the hillside and the choir of angels who announced the birth of the Christ child. I added the shepherds and a few sheep to my display while I told how they eagerly hurried to Bethlehem to see this amazing event for themselves. I stood the angel close by, as if watching protectively everyone surrounding the manger. I told them about the wise men who came from the East to worship the new born King and added three figures along with their camels. Finally I placed the donkey and cow behind the holy family to complete the scene. My youngest watched every move.

As I finished telling the story my three older children scattered to activities that more fully captured their interest. I headed to the kitchen to make supper but glanced back to admire my new, long waited for nativity set. I saw my two-year old, special needs daughter lying on her tummy staring intently at the scene. I continued to watch quietly for a couple minutes. Soon her little hand reached out and began to rearrange each piece. Baby Jesus remained in the centre but she moved Mary and Joseph even closer. Then she moved the shepherds, sheep, wise men and camels until all were crowded around the manger holding the baby. Finally she turned them until all were gazing in adoration at Jesus. Completing her task she got up, noticed me and smiled before coming to take my hand and pull me toward the Christmas tree. She possessed an almost negligible vocabulary but no words were needed to let me know how important this set already was to her. I realized she understood the Christmas story she listened to repeatedly at Sunday school and at home.

Each day, until we put the decorations away after New Year’s, she spent time lying in front of the Christmas tree looking at or rearranging the pieces. Baby Jesus always remained the central figure. I enjoyed watching this often repeated task and the huge smiles that always accompanied it. Several more years disappeared before I found a little, rough wooden stable to add to the scene but that didn't seem to matter to her. All she needed to act out the Bible story of Christmas were the figures themselves.

The years passed and each year my youngest daughter eagerly waited for the Christmas decorations to fill the house. She thoroughly loved this holiday season. Smiles wreathed her face especially when the nativity set made its appearance under the tree. It became her self-appointed job to arrange it until she was satisfied that all eyes were on the baby in the manger. She also continued to sit and listen to the Christmas story from the gospel of Luke as many times as someone would read it to her.

Tasks that we often take for granted proved difficult for her to learn to do. By the time she turned ten she had finally learned to read and received a children's Bible as her Christmas gift. As soon as she opened it she brought it to me so I could show her where to find the Christmas story. Over and over she read the words all by herself. This brought her so much pleasure and filled my eyes with tears of joy.

My children grew up and the oldest three married. Our family continued to expand with the addition of grandchildren. It had become our family tradition for my youngest daughter to arrange the nativity set under the tree each Christmas, a chore she relished. If anyone moved it around she'd go over and gently replace all the figures to her liking. One year as I took out the all the decorations, I wondered if the time had come to upgrade the nativity set to a fancier one. While we decorated the house I voiced my thoughts only to quickly be met with total rejection by my youngest daughter.

“A new fancy one will be breakable. How will all the nieces and nephews play out the Christmas story? They have to be able to play with it and move them around. You have to keep this set. It has to go under the tree.” she said with a worried look on her face.

I realized the intensity of her desire for my grandchildren to have the opportunity to enjoy the simple pleasures she had experienced year after year and I gave in. The original set stayed.

Over the years I have added other decorations that depict the Christmas story from the Bible. Yet none of them holds the special place in her heart that my original purchase does. This first visual representation, which made the story come alive for her, needs to remain part of our family tradition. My desire for a nativity set had a wonderful ripple effect within my family, but mostly with my youngest, which continues to surprise and amaze me.

Carol Harrison loves the Christmas season. This story originally appeared in Chicken Soup for the Soul, Tales of Christmas 2011. The picture is one she took of this nativity set which still sits under their tree each year even though the grandchildren are mostly all adults.

Hope: The Message of Christmas by Carol Harrison

I have always loved the Christmas season. As a child, this time of year had a simplicity I never realized. Our family didn’t have much money and there were few presents under the tree and no lavish, over-the-top decorations. Yet I loved it – the time spent with family and extended family, the church services and Christmas carols, the concerts, and the Bible story from the gospel of Luke.

When I take time to reflect, I realize I grew up rich in relationships with a legacy of being shown the love of God in tangible ways by my family. My parents and grandparents lived out their faith and shared this with me.

But, this time of year can be stressful when the tough things of life happen. The messages bombarding us about the latest and greatest gift, the best way to entertain, or even the right décor can fill us with a feeling of not having enough or not being good enough. How do view this time of year, no matter what the circumstances we find ourselves in? Where is our hope? Why do we celebrate?

As I write this blog post late the night before it is time to post it, I think about these questions. I ponder Immanuel – God with us and what that means and has meant to me. Is there a significant time at Christmas where this came alive to me? Maybe I put off writing this post because I couldn’t think of the scenario to describe. Part of the procrastination happened due to the invasion of bronchitis and asthma for a few weeks. These unwanted guests didn’t want to leave and made life difficult. Maybe it is only because I never paused long enough to really think about how God is with me and all of us who follow Him at any time of year.

A couple of days ago I had the opportunity to travel to Prince Albert to speak at the Christian Women’s Club Christmas meetings in the morning and evening. I had promised them months ago to be their speaker. The topic was Life’s Tough but There’s Hope or as they changed it around a bit to fit the time of year it read Hope - the Message of Christmas. As the day drew near, the exhaustion from being sick for weeks made me wonder if I could keep the commitment and yet I felt a peace that God was wanting me to go.

My granddaughter offered to drive so all I had to do was the speaking and interacting with the ladies present. It gave us a special time together from early morning until late at night. I pulled out my notes. Yes, I love Christmas but sometimes it is a tough time for people. Health concerns – I have those in my own life and in my husbands too. Finances – I love giving gifts and the budget runs out long before I wish it did but I am more fortunate than many. Relationship issues – some are fragile while others can be toxic. Grief – death does not care it is close to Christmas any more than health related concerns. We all get the picture.

Life for me has been in a tough season due to many issues and yet I know God is still God. He promises new mercies every morning. He is my Rock, my Fortress, my Deliverer, and strength. I know this. I’ve experienced it many times. So I trusted Him for the words to say, the strength of voice to speak, and for open hearts to hear God and know He is our Hope and Joy. 

  God with us – Immanuel. Oh how I felt that a couple of days ago. Various ladies remarked about how what I shared must have been just for them and shared a bit of their stories – tough things with me. One lady said, “When I closed my eyes, your voice was beautiful and like and eighteen-year-old.”

Wow, only God could provide a voice for people to hear that had no trace of bronchitis or asthma to it. So I pause in the middle of tough circumstances and Christmas coming quickly and wonder at the goodness of God who loves me so much He sent Jesus to take my punishment. How can I not praise His name.

Merry Christmas and may Jesus, the Hope of Christmas, fill us with hope and peace as we trust in Him each day to use the gifts, He has given us. 

 

Carol Harrison loves to share stories and the good news of hope in Jesus with people of all ages and abilities. She enjoys speaking and writing as well as scrapbooking and making junk journals.

 

The Shepherd's View of Christmas by Carol Harrison

 

Hey everyone. Listen to what happened tonight. You’re never going to believe it but it’s all true. I don't have a good enough imagination to make this kind of thing up. I was with the other shepherds in the field outside Bethlehem just like every other night. It wasn't easy to stay awake during the blackness of the night. The job required it. Someone had to keep watch over the sheep and make sure they stayed calm not to mention keep the wild animals from snacking on them.We needed to sell all the unblemished ones for the sacrifice.

Once the sheep felt secure and rested quietly, I had settled in by the fire to wait out the long, dark hours of night. Hadn’t heard of bears or anything in the area so figured it would be a quiet night. I wrapped my rough cloak around myself against the chill of the night air and slid a bit closer to the warmth of the fire.

Suddenly the night sky lit up. An angel started talking to us. I rubbed my eyes but I was awake. This was no dream. It was like the glory of the Lord Almighty filled the night sky and a bright light shone down on us in that field. I was terrified. I hid my face and started to shake. I lifted my head to take a quick peek. I noticed my companions also hid their faces. I must not be dreaming. What was happening?

I listened to the words the angel spoke. He told us not to be afraid. Easier said than done I thought but the more the angel said, the less fear I felt. I started getting excited about the message.  Good news. Could sure use some of that. For everyone. Even me, a shepherd that no one had any use for. The Messiah had been born in Bethlehem. Israel had waited for centuries for this promise. But a baby as a Saviour?

How strange that we'd find this baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. Wouldn't the Messiah, the Saviour come as a king to rid us of Roman oppression and right all the wrongs? How could a baby do any of that? Before I could figure any of it out, more angels than I could count joined the first one. The entire sky filled with light, The angels sang Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will to men.

Peace would be nice. The Romans kept us under their thumb. Even our own people didn’t trust us shepherds. They figured our word meant nothing. Life was hard. This beautiful sight and the amazing singing filled me with wonder and hope. As quickly as they came they finished their song of hope and disappeared. The stars twinkled overhead just like any other clear, cold night. The night seemed blacker and more silent after the angels left. Yet in all of this our sheep felt no fear – they kept resting.

 “Come on, let’s go! What are we waiting for?” I shouted to the others. “Let’s see for ourselves if this is really true.”

 I jumped up and started running into Bethlehem looking for the stable the angels told us about. The others could follow or not but I knew I had to go and find this Saviour. I found the place and there he was, just like the angel said he would be. A baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. But in my heart I sensed this was the one the angels had proclaimed to us. He was no ordinary baby. 

I couldn't get the words out fast enough to tell Mary and Joseph everything I had seen and heard that night. I told them everything – about the angel and what he said and the choir of angels.

It still seems hard to believe that the God of heaven and earth told us first – lowly shepherds shunned by others. He sent us to see His Son, to be the first visitors to worship Jesus. I have to go tell more people. I want to tell everyone this wonderful news. Our Saviour is here – he was born tonight. He’s here – in that stable, lying in the manger. The wait is over. Thank you God for giving us the message of hope. Thank you Lord Almighty for letting me come and worship your son.

Glory to God in the highest. His Peace has come to the earth.

Come. You need to see for yourselves our Saviour is born. What are you waiting for?

Luke 2: 9-20

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you, he is Christ. the Lord. This will be a sign to you; you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger, suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel praising god and saying.

Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to men on whom his favour rests.

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven the shepherd said to one another, let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has told us about. So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and the baby who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child. And all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherd said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherd returned glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

 

Carol Harrison writes from her home in Saskatoon where she lives with her husband and youngest daughter. She has always loved Christmas and the message of hope only available through Jesus. www.carolscorner.ca
 

Ordinary Time by Marnie Pohlmann

The lights on the Christmas tree still shine, but their twinkle seems to have faded.

There are still some gifts under the tree, but they shiver, naked without the gay Christmas wrap surrounding them. They wait forlornly to find a permanent place in the house.

Stockings hang from the mantle – one with a small lump still in the bottom, most deflated of their surprises. One is missing altogether, dragged to some unknown spot and abandoned by a grandson.

The house still smells of turkey, sweet potatoes, and apple pie, which just a day before was tantalizing, yet today is cloying and excessive.

The quiet is eerie. Yesterday, grandparents were laughing, children were teasing, and grandchildren were singing. Festive music danced in the background while everyone played games or explored their new toys. Today everyone is travelling back home, to their own lives.

The anticipation and excitement of advent, the waiting, is over. The celebration of the Christ-child’s coming is completed. Perhaps not today, but soon the tree will be dismantled, decorations packed away, leftovers frozen, and thank-you notes sent.  When the excitement of Christmas is over and when pieces of the celebration are cleaned up, we return to our usual routines of daily life; we begin Ordinary Time.

Ordinary Time is marked in orthodox churches. One period of Ordinary Time is between Christmas and Ash Wednesday, which is the beginning of the Easter season. The church does not mean life is to become commonplace after the celebration of the birth of Jesus, though our days may once again become average, with regular people, places, and activities passing the time until the next celebration. Most years, life after Christmas generally returns to the same life we had before Christmas, yet during this Ordinary Time, life can be anything but ordinary. The orthodox churches provide certain Scriptures to read and smaller celebrations to note, to help parishioners in the extra-ordinary life of walking with God.

Not everyone practices Ordinary Time. For many, life just carries on as it always did.
Even on that first day after the birth of our Saviour, most of the city of Bethlehem, as well as the rest of the world, went about their daily lives not knowing everything had changed. For some, though, like the Shepherds who received an invitation to witness the coming of the Messiah, daily life was forever changed. We too can leave the Christmas season forever changed. The Shepherds show us just what ordinary time after celebrating Jesus’ birth could look like.


Scripture describes in Luke 2:8-16 how, after having a frightening yet joyful encounter with an Angel who proclaimed the coming of the Messiah, and hearing the thunderous praise of the Heavenly Host, the shepherds left their flocks to join Mary and Joseph in celebrating the birth of this baby.

Luke 2:17-20 goes on to tell us that after the quiet celebration, when they left the side of the manger to return to their flocks, to their daily, regular, routine lives, they knew everything had changed.

When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen which were just as they had been told. – Luke 2:17-20 NIV

Proclaiming what they knew to be true. Glorifying and praising God. This response to Christmas is one that would excite God!

We know God loves celebrations. In fact, He told His people to make sure they gathered and shared feasts at specific times each year, which Jesus himself celebrated. While Christmas is not one of the prescribed festivals mentioned in Leviticus 23, we can surmise that God is pleased when any celebration includes welcoming His presence into our midst, and when those celebrations make a difference in our ordinary times.

Christmas is a festival of rejoicing - God became a man, Jesus, to live among us. He came, an extraordinary child in an ordinary world, living in a way that enabled Him to be the perfect sacrifice to reconcile humanity to God. So that we can live our daily, ordinary lives in peace with God.

Did your Christmas festivities this year include remembering the birth of Christ? Having celebrated the coming of our Lord, will you, like the shepherds, also carry proclamations and praise about Him into your regular, day-to-day, ordinary life?

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” - Luke 2:14 NIV