Weekend, December 27 & 28 Fireside Chats: The Nativity And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Luke 2:16 Recommended Reading Matthew 2:9-12 Your family may have one—it may have even been passed down from prior generations: a Nativity set that finds its honored place on a mantel or side table every Christmas season. The English “Nativity” comes from the Latin nativus—“arisen by birth.” Francis of Assisi gets credit for the first Nativity scene in 1223, a live scene such as many churches host for several nights preceding December 25. But by far the most popular Nativity scenes are those we use in our homes—especially the beautiful sets carved from olive wood by craftsmen in Bethlehem. A complete Nativity set reminds us of all the elements of the first Christmas: Mary and Joseph, the humble shepherds, the wealthy Magi, even the animals whose manger (feeding trough) served as the bassinet for the baby Jesus. Each element of the Nativity is important: Joseph from the House of David, Mary an obedient servant, shepherds and Magi representing the full spectrum of humanity, and lowly animals representing all creation. A Nativity scene is a wonderful teaching tool for children and for Christmas family devotions—bringing the first Christmas into the present. Filling the world, He lies in a manger!
Posted on: Sat, 27 Dec 2014 12:03:28 +0000
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