Manger Scenes
A Sermon for The Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord, Christmas Eve
December 24, 2021
The Rev. Robin Teasley
In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see-- I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!"
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us." So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. Luke 2:1-20
All through the month of December, a social media page that I follow has been posting a photo of a manger scene each day. They are not your usual, perfect nativity sets. Each day the same creche has been rearranged in a different way, and an explanation of what is happening in the moment is provided under the scene.
In one scene, Joseph takes baby Jesus out of the manger for some fresh air while Mary wanders off in the opposite direction and takes a break. In another the wise men chase away the approaching drummer boy. Yet another has the parents discussing whether baby Jesus knows he is the Son of God. And in one of my favorites, the shepherds get bored and play a game of dice while Joseph takes a walk, and the ox helps Mary soothe fussy baby Jesus.
I have laughed at these every day, and yet, they have made me stop and consider the Incarnation, the Word made flesh, in a new way. The Incarnation, the coming of Christ into the world, involves real people, it rearranges lives, and God is in all of it. And as I thought about those rearranged manger scenes, it came to me that if we are unwilling to allow Christ to rearrange our own manger scenes, our lives, then we will miss out on the possibilities that our lives might become.
Jesus comes to us bringing the gifts of possibility, hope, and new life. Jesus comes to challenge the status quo and to reassure us that change can become good news of great joy for all the people. And Christmas reminds us of that each year, even though it can be bittersweet, as we invite both our losses and our joys into the same day.
Each year we put out the manger scene, accumulate the gifts, bake the favorite things, and gather with family and friends. At the same time, we recall past Christmases and acknowledge that things just are not quite the same, and people we love are no longer with us. All of this blurs together and there are tears and laughter and a sharing of memories, and we admit that for all its ritual and sameness, each year Christmas is just a bit different.
Can you remember the first time that your Christmas wish was not granted? When that toy you wanted most in the whole world was not under the tree on Christmas morning? Life is like that. Each year the manger scene is arranged just a little bit differently. We will not always be with those we love or receive the thing we most desire. But we receive so much more through the Incarnation, in the gift of Jesus the Christ who has come among us to save us.
I suspect that is why we are here tonight. Yes, it is part of the ritual, but it is more than that. We have moved beyond all the preparations and into this liminal time and space to connect with those we love, near and far, in a joyous celebration of love and praise for the greatest gift. For the gift that is present in every manger scene, every twist and turn of life.
We gather to hear the ancient story once more, the story that grounds us even as it reminds us of all the people, places, and events in our past. These unchanging holy words wrap around the hopes and fears of all our years, and remind us that God has always been with us. These unchanging holy words assure us that God is with us now and will be always. That is what Emmanuel means – God with us – God in Jesus coming to live among us.
In the original manger scene, everyone receives the news of the Incarnation, and the reactions range from fear and astonishment to joy and praise. The angels are so filled with joy that they cannot contain it and as the dark sky is torn open with God’s glory they are bursting with good news!
The shepherds are like so many of us who faithfully show up to do whatever needs to be done – they are the caretakers, who may be afraid at first but are “all in” when asked to assist.
Mary and Joseph are probably bewildered and unsure, but they trust in the miracle before them and invite this living Word into their lives, knowing it will change them forever.
This timeless story comforts us wherever we find ourselves in our own messy manger scenes. We are reminded that we have been here countless times before and that God is with us now.
Jesus is God’s gift of love to us, sent to us, not in wrapping paper and ribbons, but as a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger. Love made visible in a baby who would change the world by changing the lives of each person who heard the story of that first Christmas, when love came down to save us.
In this moment, close your eyes and think of the people in your life who have shared the gift of love with you. Recall the people whom you have loved deeply; people who are here, or are no longer physically with us, but so close in the Communion of Saints. And on this night when heaven touches earth, may we bask in that great Love; may we treasure and ponder it in our hearts.
Whatever your manger scene looks like, however it is arranged right now, know that Jesus is in the center of it all.
Title Image: The Nativity, Gari Melchers
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