The Nativity

It’s hard to believe that it’s been 40 years…40 Christmases since my sweet mama gave me this lovely nativity.  After retiring from a long teaching career, Mama enrolled in a ceramics class.  Now having the time to devote to it, she poured herself into making this nativity as a gift for me.  I’ll never forget that gleam in her eye when she proudly presented it.

The nativity had it all… the shepherds, the wise men, the camel and the cow, the donkey and the sheep, and of course, the Holy Family.   Year after year, the nativity has been the first of the decorations to display and the last to be packed away.  Sadly enough, every January I have packed away fewer and fewer of the precious figures.

With the passing of years, sticky-fingered toddlers failed to heed the “gentle hands” warnings.  But they were not the only guilty ones.  The “adults” among us would gasp in horror as yet another piece of the pottery was accidentally bumped to its shattered demise.

It’s that time again.  Today, as I have done for 40 years, I lifted the precious contents from the box.  Not much remains of the original set…but it is enough and perhaps the most significant pieces: 3 wise men, a sheep, Mary, and the Baby Jesus.  This gives me great pause for reflection.

I see in the 3 WISE MEN all seekers of Truth through the generations, those who have found their way to behold the Savior and have gone home a different Way, forever changed. (Matt. 2:12)

“I AM the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE; no one comes to the Father except through Me.”

(John 14:6)

The lone SHEEP is representative of all who recognize and heed the Shepherd’s voice, secure in knowing that separation from Him is an impossibility.

“My sheep listen to My voice; I know them and they follow Me; I give them

Eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.”

(John 10:27-28) 

Sweet, adoring MARY…inspiring each of us to say “Yes Lord”, not really understanding what that YES will involve. From the cradle to the cross, Mary was there, pondering each overwhelming moment in her heart.

“I am the Lord’s servant; may it be to me as You have said.” (Luke 2:37) 

And lastly, the CHILD, Emmanuel, the Eternal God with us, before time began and as long as time shall exist.

“As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen”

(From The Gloria Patri) 

Merry Christmas, sweet Mama. I love you. I miss you. I thank you.

Esther Farhat