BONUS: Marked by the Nativity

“‘The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel’ (which means ‘God with us’).” —Matthew 1:23   When I was growing up, my family had a beautiful Christmas nativity in our living room that had been hand-painted by my grandmother. I remember the meticulously adorned kings, the elegant white angel, and the pristine animals more fit for a banquet than a barn.   It would have met anyone’s definition of the perfect nativity set except for one thing: we lost baby Jesus. 

This was quite the conundrum since it wasn’t something a quick trip to Hobby Lobby could remedy. But, even without Jesus, my mom continued to display her nativity because the significance behind my grandmother’s handmade gift meant more than the splendor of a perfect nativity set.   Christmas is full of pretty decorations, sparkly lights, and all the things that make this time of year special. But, much like my mom’s choice to continue displaying our nativity set, we’re praying that our kids grasp the significance behind the splendor as we celebrate Jesus’ birth. 

The significance comes in praying for a faith like Mary, who was willing to say yes even when it didn’t make sense. Or learning to walk in obedience like Joseph, who did the God-ordained things, not just the easy ones. It’s going any distance to meet Jesus like the wise men did. It’s approaching him like the lowly shepherds, in complete awe and wonder of the newborn King.   Pray this week that our kids don’t just see Christmas for all of its splendor but live marked by the significance of Jesus’ birth and the message of the nativity.    Lord, allow the significance of the nativity to mark our kids as we celebrate your birth. Give [name] the faith of Mary, the obedience of Joseph, and the awe and reverence of the shepherds. Strip away the splendor of a secularized Christmas, showing our family the deep love you showed by coming to earth as a baby.   God’s word speaks: Luke 2; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:14; Luke 2:14

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