"Do you know what nativity means," my sister-in-law asked me last week. I did not have a clear definition of the word and so I responded no.
She goes on to tell me that nativity simply means the circumstances surrounding a person's birth. I was surprised at the answer. A thought forming in my mind...we all have a nativity. How many times have we relived the nativity of Christ? The circumstances surrounding his birth. It is a story most of us can tell by heart. One passed on to us before we could understand what a virgin birth really meant. I have found myself being more intentional about the story this year. Reading each morning about those present when Jesus was born.
A friend gave my family the nativity story, a movie, for Christmas this year. Last night we decided to watch it together. As the story begins so does the conversation.
"That's Zechariah right?" says Layne.
"Is that Joseph? Mary is so young. Why is the king looking for the Messiah? Did it take that long to get to Bethlehem?" others in my family chime in as the movie plays.
The movie is a good one. It is simple and for the most part accurate according to scripture. The kings add a little humor, and the angel has no wings, and who is to say that those things are not possible. As Mary and Joseph near Bethlehem, a shepherd offers for them to warm themselves by his fire. They talk a while and begin again towards Bethlehem.
You know the story, Mary and Joseph in a stable...Jesus is born...an angel announces it to the shepherds. They go to find this miracle told to them. The one who offered them warmth from his fire reaches out to touch the sleeping child and draws back as if he is unworthy.
Mary holds the baby out towards him and says, "He was born for all men."
The movie plays on but the words they stick. I often find myself in the place of that shepherd. Not wanting to reach out...feeling unworthy. Shepherds were lonely outcasts...spending most of their time with sheep. There is a little of that in all of us.
I hear Mary's good news...he was born for all men. Born for all men means me...and you...and those around us. The shepherd takes courage, reaches out and touches the Christ child. May we approach his birth with the same courage to reach out and touch those things that are holy, sacred...to touch Jesus.
