Big and Small Nativities

If you have followed our worship blog for very long you already know that I have a wonderful collection of Nativities. The choir gave me a beautiful glass Nativity last year. You can see it and the rest of my collection here. http://hilldaleworship.blogspot.com/2007/12/nativity.html

Last night the choir surprised me with the biggest Nativity I've ever seen. (well, except the ones at Opryland or tacky blowup Nativities) It is incredible - made from old quilts and bedspreads. Isn't it wonderful?

So that's the biggest Nativity I have.

Last summer when Cheryl and I went to Rio on our mission trip I bought the smallest Nativity that I have.

Luke 2

1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole empire should be registered. 2 This first registration took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So everyone went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David, 5 to be registered along with Mary, who was engaged to him and was pregnant. 6 While they were there, it happened that the days were completed for her to give birth. 7 Then she gave birth to her firstborn Son, and she wrapped Him snugly in cloth and laid Him in a manger--because there was no room for them at the inn.
8 In the same region, shepherds were living out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for you see, I announce to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: 11 because today in the city of David was born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 This will be the sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped snugly in cloth and lying in a manger." 13 Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: 14 Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people He favors! 15 When the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go straight to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us." 16 And they hurried off and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the manger.

17 After seeing them, they reported the message they were told about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary was treasuring up all these things in her heart and meditating on them. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had seen and heard, just as they had been told.

Nativity

THANK YOU!

I want to thank the choir for my Christmas present. In case you missed it, the choir gave me a blown glass Nativity set for Christmas.

Blown Glass Nativity

Word had gotten out that I collect Nativity sets. In this post you'll not only read some interesting dictionary information about "Nativity", but you'll see some pictures of some of my Nativities. (I haven't come across the box that has my Nativity set from Nicaragua.)

A Nativity in honor of Hannah and Benjamin

I found it interesting when I looked up Nativity (at my favorite dictionary place Merriam Webster Online http://www.m-w.com/ ) that when it isn't capitalized it means "the process or circumstances of being born" and when capitalized it refers to the birth of Jesus. So I could say that my nativity was in Oklahoma City. My nativity, however, did not attract shepherds and was not announced by angels.

Heartwood Creek Nativity

Nativity by Lenox (in our bedroom)

There's another word for a Nativity set - "creche" which is originally a French word meaning a manger but now means "a representation of a Nativity scene."

Carved Wood Nativity

I found it rather funny that it can also mean "4 : a group of young animals (as penguins or bats) gathered in one place for care and protection usually by one or more adults."

A creche of penguins?

I like passages of scripture that refer to the Nativity that aren't in the Gospels. (Here's an earlier post with Colossians 1 http://hilldaleworship.blogspot.com/2007/12/mystery-of-incarnation.html )

Nativity - Taking on the form of a servant

Phillipians 2

5 Make your own attitude that of Christ Jesus,

6 who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God

as something to be used for His own advantage.

Or to be grasped, or to be held on to

7 Instead He emptied Himself by assuming the form of a slave,

taking on the likeness of men.

And when He had come as a man in His external form,

8 He humbled Himself by becoming obedient

to the point of death—even to death on a cross.

9 For this reason God also highly exalted Him

and gave Him the name that is above every name,

10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow—

of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth—

11 and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.