Christmas Even 2006
The Incarnation+
WHAT WE LEARN ABOUT US FROM THE BABY JESUS OF CULTURES: Our Culture
This year was one of the first years we got a nativity scene in our home. My bride set up the scene on our table. She arranged the animals, the stable, Joseph, Mary, and even put in the wise men who she reminded me should not be there if we are desiring to be biblically accurate. I didn't really notice any of those things, but the one thing that stood out to me was the red-headed Albino in the manger they were trying to pass off as baby Jesus.
Along with Santa, Rudolph, Frosty the Snowman, the nativity scene is one of the many images of Christmas in our culture today. Surprisingly, you can still buy nativity scenes. They used to have those light-up plastic ones, but now they have large balloon blow up versions some of which tumbled away during our recent storm this past month. Whether it be a small nativity on your table or a large display on your front lawn, I always would take note of one thing. I didn't care how they made Joseph, or the fact that the wise men should not there; I always took note ofs how they picture the baby Jesus-the different varieties are endless.
I wonder, sometimes, as we get wrapped up so much in just talking about the nativity, Mary, and Joseph, and of course baby Jesus, if we forget for a moment or longer what is really happening here. We stay on the surface, thanking God for sending a savior NOT realizing what that sending really meant. We fail to look beyond the freaky looking images of baby Jesus, or even the cute ones, and stop to ask ourselves exactly what this birth of the man who divides history really means-or more importantly, what it tells us about our God.