Nativity Play & Hospitality

The Nativity Play is one of the highlights of the pre-Christmas season. Most people’s hearts are warmed when the children come out to perform and the Bible is read to set the scene.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. Luke 2 (TNIV)

First comes Mary and Joseph, then the knocking on the Inn door, then the manger, followed by shepherds, sheep, angels, and then the wise men. Finally at the end, all the children are gathered around the manger where the baby Jesus lies.

This is the time when parents love to take photos.

What is it about this scene that strikes a deep chord within us?
I believe having the children gathered around the baby Jesus shows us God’s love and acceptance of us in dramatic way.

Here at the manger our children are not only safe with God (who appears not as a Judge but as a baby in need of our love and protection) but they actually look like baby Jesus’ extended family!
The scene itself shows our relationship with God. We become part of God’s family when we put our trust in Jesus. We belong here.

Christmas is not just about our own private family dinners. Christmas is first and foremost a celebration of God’s ever growing family.

So this year we are asking you to consider ways of sharing Christmas Day with God’s family after worship –without asking you to neglect your own family commitments if you have them.

Firstly, consider staying for morning tea for half an hour on Christmas Day. Some people will have to race off to cook or travel across half of Melbourne, but many of us will have time to celebrate together and to welcome those people who have come to Living Faith Church for the first time. Let us show Christ’s hospitality and welcome to them. Traditionally many such guests/new friends turn up on Christmas Day. (If you are able to serve morning tea on Christmas day please see Nola MacDonald.)

Secondly, you might like to extend the welcome of your Christmas lunch or dinner to other members of God’s family at LFC. Is there room for 1 or 2, or a family, at your table to enrich the experience of Christmas day and show the hospitality and welcome that we see in the Nativity Play?

Above all, let no-one see these suggestions as pressure to do ‘yet another thing’ on Christmas day. If you can freely offer these gifts of time and love then God’s peace is with you. If you cannot offer these gifts of time because of other commitments then God’s peace is with you too.

May God’s free acceptance of you into His family be the Christmas carol that your heart sings this season!

Graeme H