Now that we’ve turned the corner into the last week before Christmas, the excitement has ratcheted up a few notches at our house. While we love the excitement of the Christmas season we cannot lose sight of the Advent of Christ. Deana has pictured this perfectly with our nativity set at home.
Atop the entertainment center (is that what these things are still called?) to the left is the stable scene with Mary, Joseph, and Jesus surrounded by the shepherds. Behind them is a lamp that shines on the scene like the Bethlehem star would have shone. To the right – way to the right – are the magi. We place them away from the rest of the scene because the Bible indicates they weren’t at the stable but at a house. Since they were still on their way, we place them away from the manger scene.
There is greenery around all of this to provide depth and beauty. In addition to this, Deana has placed one other item in the scene: a cross. Not giving her the credit I should have, I asked if she placed it there on purpose. She said she thought about moving it (it is part of the non-seasonal decorations atop the entertainment center) but felt like it belonged with the nativity. And it does!
If we gaze into the manger and see only the baby Jesus we have missed the point of Christmas. If there had been no need for the cross of Christ there would have been no babe in a manger. The songs of Christmas are beautiful and capture the essence very well, but maybe we should sing this list of songs back-to-back during the season:
Silent Night
The Old Rugged Cross
Up From the Grave He Arose
The King is Coming
The cross casts a shadow across the nativity scene. And, these days, can’t you see a shadow of Jesus cast across the world as he prepares to descend from Heaven? He’s coming a second time in power and glory! He’s coming soon.
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