This Advent, beginning November 27, Mountville Church of the Brethren will fill its two Narthex display cases with Nativity sets borrowed from its congregation. Here is your invitation to participate in this creative way to reflect on Jesus’ birth.
Some background. At the beginning of Advent each year, Christians everywhere prepare the Bethlehem scene of the days before Christmas Day by setting up Nativity sets in their homes and places people gather… like their churches. It’s a beautiful faith tradition.
Nativity sets vary greatly in design and focus. Some are engaged solely with Mary and Joseph at the manger. Some sets are reminders of shepherds with their flocks watching from a distance. One set I remember from my youth includes the husband and wife inn keepers looking lovingly across the street at the manger sheltering the holy family and a few common folk wondering what is about to happen. And then there were sets which emphasized well-traveled folks from other lands-the Magi, foretelling the unfolding event which will impact the entire world. There was even a story I heard about of a Nativity set which had lost its Joseph so one of the family’s young boys found a “substitute’ for him with a Little People Batman. Wonderful, isn’t it, how the nativity scene inspires so many different thoughtful depictions and perspectives. This makes each one special.
If you have a Nativity set you can “loan” to our church’s Narthex display during the Advent season, bring it in by November 20.
The Advent season is all about reflecting on how we can prepare our hearts for Christ’s birth in and for the world as it is today.
Displaying all our family Nativity sets together will be a heartwarming gift to the Savior we love.
