Away in a Manger

        Luke 2:4-7 tells us, "And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.  And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn."  

Away in a Manger

It may be called a manger, the nativity scene, or a crèche.  During the Middle Ages, people set up living crèches in Italian villages.  Whatever name you use, you probably have one.

The word Nativity has to do with birth, but this was not just any birth, but a birth that changed the world then and now.  The manger used by Jesus was most likely a food trough in a cave, as that is where they kept their animals. (Sometimes animals were kept in a cave during this time, other times, a lower level of a house, like a lean-to.)

Traditionally, most people have one under the tree.  I have several, close to 20 actually, yet rarely put there under the tree because I like branches to the floor.  Mine are set up around the house.  The more delicate ones are put up in a safe place but others are on tables to be enjoyed.

Our children were familiar with the nativity story and enjoyed “acting it out” using the mangers kept out for them.  Each had particular ways of arranging the manger, according to individual interpretation.

When she was about five, Elizabeth declared, “Who put all these animals in here?  I moved them outside where they belong.  You can’t have dirty animals with Baby Jesus!”

Andrew moved all the animals to one side and added Matchbox cars to the manger like a garage.  It was possible to identify which child had touched it last by the position of the pieces!  Occasionally, Fisher-Price animals managed to join “the regulars” as well.

I do not remember which son did it, but one day I noticed that Baby Jesus was missing!  I asked about it and he took Jesus out of a pocket.  Apparently, Baby Jesus had wanted to see the large Nativity scene at church so he showed him.

Why did I allow the kids to play with the Nativity scene?  I wanted it to be real to them.  After all, it IS a real story.  Young children love the story of the baby in the manger.  Reenacting the story gave them joy.

A prayer for today 

 Dear Lord, I want to keep the story of the Nativity real in my heart, just as a child.  Help me keep the love and wonder alive.  Remind me to show MY life to Jesus and include Him.  Amen.

sharing a reading  from my Advent 

devotional called,  "As We Wait" 

a book that looks at the symbols

 and customs of the Advent season, 

written for the entire family.

Beauty from Scraps

Sometimes, it seems that things just aren't working out the way we want, or that maybe, our prayers are being ignored. But we don't always know what is going to happen, and sometimes our prayers are answered in ways we'd never imagine.  God can take the bad and sad moments of our lives, our scraps of failures, and turn them into something remarkable. This selection is from my advent book, A Candle is Burning.

Beauty from Scraps

 Quilts are wonderful. You can use them to sit on for a picnic on a warm summer day or take them to football games to ward off the chill. Snuggling under a warm quilt on a cold, stormy night brings peace as you are warm and safe under it.

Now, we often make quilts using brand new fabrics chosen just for that quilt. But back in pioneer days, quilts were made of scraps of fabric salvaged from worn out clothing. Women sometimes made them using interesting patterns, creating a beautiful new blanket from the old fabrics.

God takes our broken moments, our failures and shortcomings, and makes them into beautiful moments of joy. Our scraps become masterpieces with His touch. He took the barren couple, Elizabeth and Zacharias, and in them, created John, who would bring others to the glory of God.

  

Luke 1:14-16

And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God.”

Remember today, to take heart, that even as you struggle, God is using your problems in ways you may not even notice to create goodness. Praise Him and look for the glory in all things.

from the book,

A Candle is Burning, 

an Advent book

for the whole family

that uses the Nativity story

to share the themes of Advent.

Blue, the Color of Mary's Cloak

This is from my book, Shades of Glory. In this Advent devotional, different parts of the Nativity Story were discussed, using the themes of colors, such as yellow straw and white sheep.

Blue, the Color of Mary’s Cloak

          In the majority of the sculptures and paintings of Mary, she is shown wearing blue. Early artists showed her in blue covered by a red hood. Blue symbolizes the earth and the sky while red often symbolizes Divinity.

          Later artists dropped the red, but kept her in blue. Blue is also the color for loyalty and faith. She was a faithful woman or would not have been chosen to be the Mother of Jesus Christ.

          In the Torah, the scriptures of the Israelites, they were instructed to put blue on the edge of their garments to remind them of the sky and heaven. They also used blue to cover holy items, so it was a special color. Whatever the reason, blue is the color associated with Mary.

          Some churches now use blue Advent candles rather than purple.  They claim this is to distinguish it from Lent that also uses purple. Just as Advent is the time before Christmas, Lent is the time before Easter, both a time of reflection. .

Mary did you know?

That your baby boy will one day walk on water?
Mary did you know? That your baby boy will save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new?

This child that you've delivered will soon deliver you.