Behold the Nativity

Carl, my potentially apostate budgie, deconstructing the nativity.

The sound was peculiar, a faint tapping followed by a click.  Too quiet to be a child, I immediately suspected Carl our budgie, of a new form of misbehavior.  I was resting peacefully in that strange world between sleep and consciousness when I suddenly wondered what the little beast was up too.  Carl wasn’t allowed out of her cage without a family member present.  A survey of the soundscape indicated no child in the vicinity.  Willing myself to open my eyes was unsuccessful and I drifted back to sleep.  

When I awoke the second time, I again heard a faint tapping noise.  This time, it was more repetitive and rhythmic.  I opened my eyes as the realization swept over me:  I had fallen asleep on the couch while Carl was out of her cage.  Sitting up quickly, I looked around and concentrated on the noise.  A first glance there was nothing amiss.  When suddenly a budgie hopped through my peripheral vision.   Thanking the Lord she wasn’t hurt, I squinted through sleep to understand what I was seeing. 

The on the mantel piece stood Carl happily gazing at the nativity.  This nativity consisted of a small wooden stable with little nails, upon which a different character was hung for each day of advent.  Aww.  I remember thinking to myself.  Carl is admiring the pretty lights.  What a happy Christmas bird.  At that moment, I was struck by the sweetness of the scene.  “You are a good bird, aren’t you Carl?”  In response, Carl chirped happily and tapped at one of the wise men with her break.  I leaned back on the couch content.  Sleep was still thick in my vision, and perhaps it was a remnant sugar plum fairy that caused me to think such insipid thoughts.  I sighed happily and wrapped my blanket around me.

“Carl?” I sang. “Chirp!” Carl replied.  “Are you a good bird?”  I’m not sure what I was expecting Carl to say, but I certainly wasn’t expecting her to grab the closest wise man by the head and fling him off the mantel piece.  The sound I made in response was somewhat indescribable.  Sensing her freedom was coming to an end, Carl grabbed a sheep off the nativity, dropped it and then pitched a stargazing shepherd after the wise man.  I sat back in astonishment before laughing hysterically.  From time to time I had suspected my bird was unredeemed but this seemed a bit extreme, even for her.  Yet take apart the nativity she did, that day and every other she could manage.  It became an unorthodox family tradition. This year, when we unpacked the nativity, my heart ached.  Our little feathered slice of creation died this spring and I miss her.   

In my part of the world, Christmas has become a slick commercial affair.  There are events to attend, sights to see and trinkets to buy all of which can enhance or diminish the message of the season.  That is, presuming you are familiar with the message of Christmas.   

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:5  

Our world is fallen.  That is an important piece of the Christmas message.   I can’t explain many things that are happening on our planet right now.  But it seems to me, many are waking up to the realization that the world can be a dark place.   Some are offended by the realization, many are saddened.  This is where commercial Christmas can’t help.  The lights that are strung on streets and houses do nothing to enlighten a bereaved heart.  Those who are experiencing profound loss and pain can’t be bought off by trinkets, at least not for long.  So the message for Christmas becomes all the more important.  The good news is that God didn’t leave us without hope.  The world was in darkness, but God sent a light.  

and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased. Matt 3:17

The second part of the Christmas message is that God sent his son.  If you say this, it can make people really cross.  It isn’t surprising, people have been trying to separate the Father from the Son for a long time now.  However, Jesus went through a great deal to wear the title “Son of God,” and for the broken and sinful it is a fabulous name.  It is a name that heaven hears.  

Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.  But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God.  You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” John 1: 29-33

This part of the Christmas message is sticky because it involves God’s kingdom and parts of God’s kingdom we can experience now and the parts we can’t tend to make us angry.  In my crisis moments, I could not have survived without help – Christian help.  Those who were devoted to Jesus who took up my needs as their own and offered me hope when everything around me, including my faith, was failing.  They brought kingdom hope to my grieving heart.  

But there are things that no Christian can provide.  Things we will experience in the future when creation is rolled up and we meet God face to face.  Justice for egregious wrongs, understanding, and lasting peace have not yet been attained. They are promised yet we must discipline ourselves as Jesus folk not to become discouraged because they have not yet arrived.  

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Look! God's dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death' or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." Rev 21:3-4

Christmas here and now, with its tinsel, lights and carols cannot come close to fulfilling the above scripture.   If I attempt to obtain joy from the trimmings of Christmas I will come away unfulfilled.  But if I can remember Christmas points back to his first coming and forward to his second true joy can appear.  If I, unlike my sweet bird, can keep the nativity in sight, intact and in focus I will be ready for Christmas and His appearing.

I’m praying for you this week,

xoxKaren

PS:  Clearly the most important kingdom gift God bestows is that of immediate forgiveness.  It is central to the Christian faith.   However, I can’t figure out how to say that in this message gracefully.  I’ve tried cutting and pasting it in several places, but it isn’t working.

It seems odd to place a central tenant of our faith in a footnote, but I’m not thinking clearly.  My furnace broke this Monday and I’m living in my basement in a make shift blanket fort.  No kidding.   My house is as cold as my refrigerator, with the exception of one room in the basement.  We have been holed up in here with three space heaters, while they work on getting me a new one.  All this while the polar vortex consumed Seattle along with 123 snowflakes.  It’s rough.  Pretty sure I heard the snowflakes screaming as they fell.  

Not going to lie, I’m wishing hibernation were an option.