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Matthew 2:11 – And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. (ESV)
We place several nativity sets in our home, and they range from cute to fancy to wooden to ceramic. I have saved bits and pieces from my mother's set and incorporated them into my own. Therefore, I wound up with multiples of each figurine, so I purposely display a few "extras" for various reasons and reminders. For example, a fourth wise man heads toward Bethlehem to represent the inspirational book by Henry van Dyke, The Other Wise Man, and the movie based on it. I also kept an additional small lamb to lay beside the manger, as written about in Max Lucado's children's book, The Crippled Lamb. I realize that both stories are fictional, but each one contains spiritually based reminders that are meaningful to me in my faith.
This year, I found that one of our "Cherished Teddy" wise men was missing the head from the camel (hobby horse) that he was holding. As I was looking at my broken figurine and considering whether I should order a replacement, I noticed that though the item in his right hand was broken, he was holding (and offering) a patchwork heart in his other hand. A thought immediately came to me that we are all broken in some way or another, but our brokenness does not make us discardable or replaceable. We have value to our God just the way we are. Additionally, we can give Him exactly what He is seeking — our patched hearts! So, I placed the heart-giving, broken wise man back in the nativity scene as another reminder with meaningful, inspirational significance.
Perhaps I have quite a large imagination to see these stories and reminders within our inanimate nativity sets. But if we all look at things with Christ-centred hearts, love, and the innocent faith of a child, we will see reminders, miracles, God-moments, and inspirational reflections all around us.
Prayer: Dear God, may our Christmas decorations and nativity scenes speak to us in different, meaningful ways, and may they remind us of Christ's unequivocal and ever-present love in our lives, as we keep Him at the forefront of our thoughts. In His name, we pray. Amen.
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Thanks Kerri, blessings.
Thank you for this beautiful story today.
Thank you for that wonderful reminder this morning.
Thanks for the good reminder, Kerri. Have a wonderful Christmas season.
Thank you, Kerri. I, too, have several nativity sets that have memories attached to them. I like your point of pointing these memories to Christ.
How lovely to start my day with your message. Thank you for this thoughtful piece.
(Manitoba)
Thank you for today’s devotion.
I liked it.
Blessings,
(Québec)
Thank you, Kerri, for your devotional today. I am just now reading email after a long day of doctor appointments and reading it was a good way for me to wind down.
(Texas)
I LOVE your story – and the fact that you have your mindset like mine – always centred on the LORD. That certainly changes one’s point of view out there in the world … and here at home. Thank you for sharing your wonderful perspective. God bless.
Thank you for writing this devotional.
Reminders.
New ways of seeing.
Thank you.
Blessings.
Thank you, Kerri. I’ll think of your devotional as I unpack my old nativity scene and reminisce about their past places, and how broken they are, but they still are a reminder of the exciting, good news which is always fresh in my mind. Have a meaningful advent season!
An “aha!” moment for me…
What a lovely suggestion, I usually see the decorations as reminders of those who gave them. This is more meaningful, thanks,
(BC)
Many thanks Kerri for this beautiful and heartwarming devotional today. I too have a “manger” set from way back in my childhood days and each piece has its special place in the arrangement. Our loving Saviour certainly has a very special place at all times in our hearts and daily lives. He is ever deserving of our praise and honour. Blessings for your most meaningful and precious writing.
Good morning, Kerri.
Thank you for your great imagination!!!! It makes life interesting when we have one!
I glue the head on my tall wiseman. I have a few times but after reading your message today, it came to me that when I am broken in some way, God glues me back together with His love and forgiveness, compassion, and grace.
God bless.
Good morning, Kerri,
I really enjoyed this devotional and your sharing of special items which mean a lot to you. I don’t have your vivid imagination; however, I do have items which mean a lot to me because they are from my parents, family members, or friends which remind me of Jesus’ love for us all. Thanks for sharing your special ones and I am sure it will encourage others to reflect. Blessings.