This week's newsletter from Karen

Have you ever taken a look at your nativity set and thought about its parts? My main set has Mary, Joseph, inn keeper, shepherd, three kings bearing gifts, three camels, a donkey, a cow, a sheep, a small child (probably a stable boy), an angel, and baby Jesus.

I was looking at the scene and thought about Philippians 2:9-11 which reads, “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

The nativity seems to be foreshadowing Jesus’ return as Paul describes in Philippians. All age groups are represented. Different nationalities are in the display. Distinct socio-economic groups are shown. Heaven (angel) and nature (animals) are represented. Those who had rejected Jesus (inn keeper) are there. Those who would be in authority over him on earth (Mary, Joseph, kings) are present. Those who had been trying to find Jesus for a long time (kings) and those who had just heard about him (shepherd) were there. All the pieces are looking at Jesus with their heads lowered (some are in a full bow/kneeling position).

As you celebrate the birth of Jesus this Christmas season, look to your nativity scene and contemplate with joy and excitement the day He’ll come again and “every knee” and “every tongue” will worship Him “to the glory of God the Father.”