Living the Nativity with Mary

Advent is a time when we remember that God chose to put on flesh and dwell among us. God chose to be born in the humblest of ways, crying at his abrupt entry and slumbering in a feeding trough for animals.  The use of the Greek word phatnê to describe the place where Christ was born leads us to think of it as a stable built into the lower floor of a house or in the courtyard. In the second century Saint Justin Martyr called it a grotto, a small cavern which was common at the time.

The characters of the Advent drama are all threads in a rich, textured tapestry of beauty.  St. Francis of Assisi was inspired by this beauty after visiting the place of Christ's birth on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. He is credited with creating the first nativity scene on Christmas Eve in 1223 and was said to have been especially moved by the simplicity, humility and poverty of the Holy Family.  As we journey through the Advent story together each of us is invited to find ourselves “living the Nativity” as we ponder the meaning of Christ in our lives.

Children & Family Activity:  Pick up supplies on Sunday morning at Holy Covenant UMC to create a Stable and Mary. Tell her story, especially how she said yes to being a mom to Jesus. Talk about how you can say yes to God.