An article caught my eye on one of the on-line news links a week or so ago. A story about the church in Alaska that was targeted by PETA because they advertised a “live nativity scene” prompted the following thoughts:
The question this raises – can you be convicted of being a Christian if your baby Jesus is plastic? Is your faith any more real than your animals? Is political correctness more important than truth? Just how real is your faith?
While I in no way want to suggest that using (or misusing) live animals just to make your nativity scene more realistic (there are many dangers – to both people and animals that are not given thorough consideration), it is an interesting parallel to our faith. How real is your faith? Is it a plastic doll, in a manger of straw? Or is it the son of God, the one who became flesh and lived among us? Is the whole manger scene too “real” for us? Or do we want it to be a “nice story” that we tell because it sounds good?
It reminds me of the old question (usually raised at Lent, not Advent), if you were put on trial for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you? In this case, do our Advent practices prepare us for the coming of the Christ Child? Or for a holiday season of shopping and partying?
On Dec. 1, a new movie opened that re-tells the story, The Nativity Story. Having seen this movie, it is both a “feel-good” Christmas movie, and a realistic tale of what Mary and Joseph might have had to endure. It just might be a great way to celebrate the Advent season and begin the Christmas season…
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Speaking of what Mary and Joseph might have had to endure, the quote from my desk calendar the other day was, “When inconvenience irritates you, think of God’s plan for Mary, Joseph, and Jesus!”
Certainly put things in perspective!
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