The Traveling Nativity

Read on December 10

Story provided by Jeannine

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” —Matthew 5:16

Jeannine had four young children, and she wanted them to understand the true meaning of Christmas. The very first decoration in their home each Christmas was the nativity set, or, more accurately, a partial nativity set.

Jeannine would put their crèche out, but she kept most of it empty. There was only the straw and an empty manger. The pieces to the nativity were scattered throughout the house. The cows and sheep were in the room with the small stable. Mary and Joseph were in another room with the donkey nearby. The shepherds and the sheep were placed in a quiet room, away from everything else. The wise men were put in a spot farthest away from the stable.

As the Christmas holiday progressed, the pieces began to travel, inching closer to the stable each day. Their journey helped the family experience the Advent season in a unique and memorable way. Jeannine had the opportunity to share the biblical story of Christmas with her children in a way they were sure to understand and remember.

The last thing Jeannine did on Christmas Eve was place the baby Jesus in the manger. Amazingly, the first thing her children did each Christmas Day was run to see if Jesus had been born. It was a great reminder to her whole family of the true celebration for the day.

The nativity set was the last decoration Jeannine put away each year. The three kings didn’t find Jesus until later. The gift of Christmas continued even after the holiday.

There are so many creative ways to share the Christmas story with our families and others. Often, our best witness has no words.

People can learn the Christmas story by reading our lives, by seeing our priorities, and by noticing our joy. Kindness doesn’t require shopping, wrapping, or sending, yet it is a wonderful gift to give. Most people just want to know you care. Many can’t imagine that the God who created the world did so for them. 

If you are like me, you became interested in Christ when Christians became interesting. Most people are drawn to the Lord by those who live for him. Billy Graham said, “We are the Bibles the world is reading. We are the creeds the world is needing. We are the sermons the world is heeding.”

There are a lot of ways to share the Christmas story, often without words. 

Who will be drawn to the manger on Christmas morning because they were drawn to you?