By Rachel Langston
The definition of nativity has to do with birth. In particular, nativity is “the place, time and circumstances of a birth.” So, the Nativity of Jesus is the story of Jesus’ birth and the Nativity of (your name goes here) is the story of YOUR birth.
At this time of year, I love looking at all the Nativity scenes that are displayed. I have a collection of small nativity scenes that I display in the dining room. Each of my children has a nativity scene that goes in their room. They are child-friendly and sturdy. In my son’s room, Jesus rode around in a dump truck for 2 years. In my daughter’s room, it is not unusual to find Dora the Explorer standing right next to the wise men!
I don ‘t worry too much about how they arrange the pieces or if they set them up “right”. I want them to feel free to play with the different pieces and how they fit in the Nativity story. I want them to feel comfortable with the Nativity of Jesus. I want them to know that, because of His birth, history was forever changed.
We all have a nativity story. Mine has two parts. The first was a day in 1967 when I was born to my earthly parents in Alabama. The second was a day in 1980 when I was born again as a child of God.
At Christmas, we celebrate the Nativity of Jesus which gives meaning to the nativity of us all!
Copyright, RPL Communications, 2006
