Good Friday Christmas Creche

Peter relates well with young people.

He wrote, “a few weeks before Christmas 2011, I brought some wood and art supplies and about six of us (five young people and Peter) went to work to make our own Crèche, which was on display at  St. John’s Church, Rockwood.

It has a few unique features …

--- lights and glitter because the children like that;

--- FIVE Jesus’ because all of the children wanted to make a Jesus;

--- one of the littlest children felt that if this is a story about God, then it should have lots of rainbows. I guess he remembered that from Noah’s Ark. I didn’t stop them; they were really involved in the Nativity story and expressed it the best way they knew how.

n      the oldest youth in the group wanted to have Jesus on the cross so that we wouldn’t forget that part of Jesus’ life. That is important too.”

Peter concluded that the children are my best teachers.

Jesus also taught and learned from children. He told us that we all must become as little children to enter God’s presence.

I call this Nativity Set – the CHRISTMAS-GOOD FRIDAY CRECHE, because it reminds us of the reasons why God entered our human lives - God came so that we might have life and have it more abundantly.

It also shows a connection between the gifts of the Christmas Magi and the Good Friday cross. The Magi’s gift of myrrh was given to someone who must die; the young Magi in Rockwood came to the same conclusion and wanted the cross included in the Bethlehem manger.

In 1993, I took our 1992 Christmas tree … cut off the limbs and made a cross from its trunk. That was my ‘Good Friday Christmas connection . I still have it.

Christmas leads to Lent … Lent to Good Friday … and Good Friday to Easter … Easter to eternity, all because – God so loved the world that God sent Jesus to save us all from sin and give us eternal life. No greater love!

So be it.

Epiphany - The Star of the Christmas Creche

In 1982, George arrived at the Church House where we lived and told our family, “I made this star as a gift for you. It does not belong to the Parish. Take it with you, wherever you go."

We have.

After several years adorning our home in St. John’s Newfoundland, we brought it to Toronto, Ontario where it guided people to our front door for 17 years. And for the past five Christmas seasons it has shone brightly on the exterior wall of our own home in Burlington, Ontario.

For 10 years, it occupied an honoured place, hovering over the Holy Family in the last scene (manger in Bethlehem) in THE REAL CHRISTMAS STORY – a play written by our daughter Allison Lynn and myself. Over 5,000 people walked through St. John’s York Mills churchyard to experience an outdoor theatrical presentation in Canada in December, and another 100,000 people saw the star when THE REAL CHRISTMAS STORY was shown on television…a fantastic journey for 10 pieces of plywood and a string of ten lights formed by George’s creativity and  talent, and clamped together with glue and nails. George’s star travelled infinitely more than he ever imagined.

On this first day of the Epiphany, we remember the astrologers who travelled for two years following an unknown star, not knowing where they were being led. Epiphany means “shining forth”, and the words from the manger scene of THE REAL CHRISTMAS STORY seem very reassuring as we head into an unknown and uncertain future.

 “This is a wonderful day for us who live here in Bethlehem;

Our God has been born as a baby in this very stable;

Look! There are his earthly parents - Mary and Joseph;

And look, there is the baby, Jesus Christ!

We have all seen the star;

God said, ‘I am the light of the world’, and there is the light;

It shone through the ages past;

It guided the astrologers and shepherds to this place;

It guides us today and into the future.

God has become a human being and dwells among us.

Let us celebrate the holiest of miracles”.

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The Crèche is a nativity set depicting the birth of Jesus Christ. Since St. Francis built the first Crèche in the 13^th century, the idea has expanded around the world. Even though people frame their Crèches to reflect their local customs, traditions, cultures and materials, the central focus is always the same – the birth of the Saviour. During the 12 days of Christmas, I shared 12 Crèches and their messages. Hope you enjoy them.  

Today is a bonus blog – we look to the star to see Jesus Christ - the “light of the world”

Love to hear your thoughts on the Creches in COMMENTS below.

Day 12 - The Twelve Creches of Christmas

Spencer Park is located in Burlington, Ontario, where we live. It is a hub of activity throughout the year, but comes alive like a carnival of neon flashing lights during the Christmas season. Thousands walk or ride along the lake shore to soak in the wonder of a winter wonderland extravaganza.

Our friend Ian told us how many hours of coordination and work go into the building and maintenance of the cavalcade of lights each year. But he said,“it’s worth it”. I agree.

When fully activated for the Christmas season, Spencer Park is like a magical amusement playground for people of all ages and interests. 

There in the midst of this city owned park is the crèche (shown above).

 We are drawn to this scene, showing the astrologers or Magi completing their two year long journey following a star, and finding the baby. Standing in the cold night air, listening to the waters of Lake Ontario splash gently against the rocky shore, and hearing the hum of traffic heading east and west on a nearby highway, we are caught up in the wonder of God’s plan in bringing these academics to the place at the precise moment of the birth of Jesus.

They came and brought significant gifts…gold to show that they were approaching a king, frankincense to show that they were meeting a priest and myrrh to show they were honouring someone who was going to die. 

The baby would grow and become a king unlike any other king, a priest to care for all people and one who would die on a cross and rise from the dead for the sole motive of his love for all people.

The visit of the Magi showed the universality of God. We need to keep that in the forefront of our minds, so that we do not try to restrict God or Jesus to any one religion, culture, nation or other human designed crate. 

Today, think about those who are travelling the universe following a star, pray for their safety on the journey and that they may arrive at their “manger”.

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The Crèche is a nativity set depicting the birth of Jesus Christ. Since St. Francis built the first Crèche in the 13^th century, the idea has expanded around the world. Even though people frame their Crèches to reflect their local customs, traditions, cultures and materials, the central focus is always the same – the birth of the Saviour. During the 12 days of Christmas, I will share 12 Crèches and their messages. Hope you enjoy them.  

     Love to hear your thoughts on the Creches in COMMENTS below.

Day 11 - The Twelve Creches of Christmas

Outside All Saints Church, Bedford, Nova Scotia - where Elaine and her family worship - stands this crèche, created by parishioner, David.

The Crèche is located at the top of the steps leading up to the Church building. Symbolically it says to me that as we go through the rigour, stresses, joys and celebrations of life, we should always be looking up and acknowledging the source from which our strength comes, and give thanks to God. .

The silhouetted figures, similar to the dark dreary stable in Bethlehem, are illuminated by the powerful light emanating from the baby lying in the manger.

Years later, Jesus would tell his listeners, “I am the light of the world”. Over 2000 years beyond his birth, we can still be ‘lights for Christ’ shining through the gloomy situations faced by people in God’s world. 

Sometimes the light - note the star - reveals a hidden condition needing to be exposed, and sometimes the light spurs us to respond to alleviate harsh situations, but we are never alone and we should be courageous. As John wrote in his Gospel, “the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it”.

Today think about what needs to be revealed or alleviated in your world. Pray for and support those who are working to make it a better place for all – both those upon whom the light has shone and those still sitting in darkness.

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The Crèche is a nativity set depicting the birth of Jesus Christ. Since St. Francis built the first Crèche in the 13^th century, the idea has expanded around the world. Even though people frame their Crèches to reflect their local customs, traditions, cultures and materials, the central focus is always the same – the birth of the Saviour. During the 12 days of Christmas, I will share 12 Crèches and their messages. Hope you enjoy them.  

     Love to hear your thoughts on the Creches in COMMENTS below.

Day 10 - The Twelve Creches of Christmas

Kay sent me four photos of Nativity Sets. I selected this Crèche because it speaks to me, not so much about the set itself, but about the power behind Christmas.

Of the 60 nativity sets we have in our personal collection – most given to us or collected in our travels – many are small like this one (compared to the hand holding the crèche).  Each contains recognizable figures of Mary, Joseph and Jesus in a bare tiny stable surrounded by representatives of the human and animal creation, in this case two birds.

Rarely are birds used in Crèches to represent the whole of the non-human world, but this artist chose birds to indicate that all of the universe was acknowledging the significance of the birth of Jesus Christ.

The main reason I am including this crèche is the presence of the hand. Practically speaking, the person was holding the tiny crèche so the camera operator could get a decent picture.

However, I view the hand as the “Hand of God” – God our creator, redeemer and sanctifier.

Just as the human hand is supporting the crèche so it will not topple over, so God is with us at all times, under every circumstance and in all situations. Another writer penned it this way: “there is no place where you can go without meeting God there”.

Today think about God our supporter and all others who support you in your journey through life. Give thanks for them.

   Love to hear your thoughts on the Creches in COMMENTS below.

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The Crèche is a nativity set depicting the birth of Jesus Christ. Since St. Francis built the first Crèche in the 13^th century, the idea has expanded around the world. Even though people frame their Crèches to reflect their local customs, traditions, cultures and materials, the central focus is always the same – the birth of the Saviour. During the 12 days of Christmas, I will share 12 Crèches and their messages. Hope you enjoy them.  

           Love to hear your thoughts on the Creches in COMMENTS below.

Day 9 - The Twelve Creches of Christmas

I believe every Christian household should display a Nativity Set as a symbol of what Christmas and the birth of Jesus Christ is all about. In our home we have nearly 60 crèches, which means that we have continuous reminders everywhere.

So I was pleased when Sue and Andy sent me a photo of their family Crèche.

They mentioned, “You may notice that the donkey is missing an ear... that's because our grand daughter (now 7) loves to play with the set and when she was two she somehow broke off the ear, which was never found!”

What a coincidence! When I was setting up our “main” crèche, I noticed that the ear on our donkey was also missing. I wonder if losing their ears is a genetic shortcoming of donkeys!

My first reaction was, “We need to replace the donkey or buy a new Nativity Set”, but we have had the present one for 40 years, and Christmas traditions are important to us.

Then, I thought maybe the donkey’s broken ear is symptomatic of today’s world, as well as what life was like when Jesus was born in the first century.

At a Toronto City Hall Christmas tree lighting/carolling ceremony, the Mayor spoke about the first Christmas and said that the needs were as great today as then. She pointed out that while we were enjoying ourselves in relative comfort and security, only a short distance away were hundreds of people who were homeless, hungry, lonely, etc.

Maybe the broken ear on the donkey is a sign to us. It serves to remind us how we can assist needy individuals travelling with us on the road of life – a kind word of encouragement, financial or other gifts to help lighten a heavy burden and offering an outstretched hand to lift up and support God’s creation.

Today think about all those who travel through life with a missing “ear” (whatever that means) … pray for them and sustain them in any way you can.

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The Crèche is a nativity set depicting the birth of Jesus Christ. Since St. Francis built the first Crèche in the 13^th century, the idea has expanded around the world. Even though people frame their Crèches to reflect their local customs, traditions, cultures and materials, the central focus is always the same – the birth of the Saviour. During the 12 days of Christmas, I will share 12 Crèches and their messages. Hope you enjoy them.  

    Love to hear your thoughts on the Creches in COMMENTS below.

                                   

Day 8 - The Twelve Creches of Christmas

In recent years, Fiona and Bill have left the snow clad December land of Canada to spend Christmas with their family in Bermuda, where I understand people dream the impossible dream – a white Christmas.

They attend St. Mark’s Church while in Bermuda, and this is their crèche.

What caught my attention with this crèche is the size of the star – seems bigger than the stable itself. Now in reality most stars may be this size or bigger, but in the Christmas events, I always imagine the star to be much smaller than the stable. Is there some reason why a church in Bermuda would display such a huge star?

While attending an exhibit containing more than 150 crèches from around the world, I noted the differences in the dimensions of and materials used to construct the Nativity Sets. People drew from their traditions, culture and locale to express what Christmas is all about.

Yet, even though the outward expressions varied greatly, the centrality of the message remained the same. At the centre of all these Nativity Sets was the new born child – Jesus Christ. Around him was the supporting cast of animals, shepherds and astrologers, and caring for Him were his earthly parents - single mother Mary and adoptive father Joseph.

If the former group represents the wider world with all its human stresses, concerns, troubles and sins, then the latter must indicate the presence of God. Maybe in the midst of what we are going through in life, we need to look way up and see the guiding light of the star, and then look beyond the star to see and know the ONE God who is love.

Today think about our different ways of expressing the one God and pray that each of us, by moving closer to God, may move closer to each other. Pray for it to happen.

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The Crèche is a nativity set depicting the birth of Jesus Christ. Since St. Francis built the first Crèche in the 13^th century, the idea has expanded around the world. Even though people frame their Crèches to reflect their local customs, traditions, cultures and materials, the central focus is always the same – the birth of the Saviour. During the 12 days of Christmas, I will share 12 Crèches and their messages. Hope you enjoy them.  

    Love to hear your thoughts on the Creches in COMMENTS below.