Nativity Characters

This morning, I want us to spend some time thinking about the people in the story of the birth of Jesus. We have a nativity set, and I have given some of the pieces to people as they arrived: [speak about each part of the nativity scene as it is put into place]

·    First we hear of Mary – what do we know about Mary? Young, not yet married. Heard an Angel and said yes to God’s messenger.

·    Joseph – what do we know about Joseph? Probably older than Mary; not sure what is happening; a carpenter.

·    Shepherds – lived outside, looked down upon;

·    Angels – messengers from God – to Mary: “Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favour with God.”
to Shepherds: “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people;”
to Joseph:  “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife” [Mt] also:
lots of angels singing to shepherds: “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”

·    Wise men, Magi, kings: Watched the night sky for changes – scientists. They must have had some money, or wealthy friends, to be able to travel for an unknown amount of time.

·    Star – pointed the way for to where the baby was born.

·    Who is missing – baby Jesus.

Mary said yes to God; Joseph supported her; the shepherds came to see; the Magi searched. The angels brought messages from God and praised God, and the star showed something important was happening.

The story as it is traditionally told is a mixture of the birth stories from the gospels of Matthew and Luke, each includes different information, so generally they are patched together.

Which character best describes where you are at this year? Are you like Mary full of faith, prepared to take a risk and say ‘yes’ to god?

Are you like Joseph, uncertain about the next step?

Are you like the Shepherds, amazed at the fact that angels are speaking to you?

Are you like the Magi, seeking for something more, searching for knowledge?

Are you an angel, speaking God’s message of peace and praising God with your life?

Are you like the star, encouraging and guiding those who are searching?

Or are you like the government officials, scared and wanting everything to happen under your control?

Or are you like the innkeeper, trying to keep your head above water, and no time for anything extra?

What do these stories tell us for today? What can we learn from these stories of the birth of Jesus, whether we believe in the miracles and angels or not.

We can think of this story as something sweet that happened 2,000 years ago. We can think of Jesus as the baby in the manger and forget about the rest of his life. We can see the cuteness and ignore the loneliness, the courage, the wonder, the threat that is within this story.

This is a story for everyone. This is story for young and old, for rich and poor, for travellers, outsiders, a story for seekers and a story for people of deep faith and no faith. This is a story about God’s love for all people.

In the letter to the Hebrews we read of a God who was speaking through the prophets for centuries, and John’s Gospel begins: 

 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. … What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people.”

This is the story not only of a baby being born, but of life and light and love being offered to us by God. Because the birth of Jesus is one more way of God saying: I love you. I know you, you are important to me, and I love you. I have come myself to live amidst the pain, the fear, the unknown-ness of human life. I have come to show you I love you, by being with you, in all aspects of life.

In the birth, the life, the death and resurrection of Jesus, God speaks to us. What message do we hear? How do we respond?