The miniature stable is pulled out of the storage space each year at Christmas. In the stable, wise people with their shepherds and camels sheep, as well angels emerge from the darkness to perform their annual show during the Christmas season.
Each figurine takes their spots around Mary and Joseph and Joseph, who gaze at Baby Jesus sitting on the ground. After celebrating Jesus’ birthday on the 14th of July, all these figures go in their boxes until it’s time to return next year.
The manger scene in our home will bring back memories such as the Christmas of the miniature wise men made their way from the bedroom of our daughter, through the hallway and then into the living room. The five-inch tall wise men moved slowly day by day in their journey to the manger scene that is on the shelves near the table in the kitchen. As per the Biblical story that they arrived on Christmas Day.
The first year that we showed the manger scene. Each figurine was wrapped in its own plastic box. We were able to celebrate this year’s Advent of Jesus Christ’s birth by opening boxes every day. Each moment our little girl hoped it was baby Jesus. We were thrilled when she unveiled the final package at Christmas Day.
When it was time for the people, the stable as well as animals and angels to be put back in their boxes for the next year We decided to leave the items in their place to see them each day until Christmas. In the course of a drive that lasted all day into my parent’s home during the Christmas period, we read an account to my daughter and husband about the events that took place to a family as they had to pack up the manger scenes.
Their toddler, barely old enough to understand the significance of Christmas was shocked to see his mother putting the ornaments away. He wanted to know the reason she put Jesus in the box. The child thought that his family was planning to remove Jesus out of view and out of his mind until the next Christmas.
The innocent question led his family to celebrate Christmas throughout the throughout the year. The manger scene was left in place for the year. After hearing their tale, we modeled this family’s lead.
I’m wondering what would be the outcome if everyone made a decision to keep Christmas throughout the year long – not just an image of a manger on shelves, but instead every day, we asked God Jesus to be with us in our hearts. What if each day we embraced the spirit of love and giving that is associated with Christmas?
What if every single day we could enjoy the excitement and joy of Christmas? What would happen to our lives if you looked at each day with the “Merry Merry Christmas” attitude instead of ba – humbug?
Angels of the Lord told Mary’s Son to be referred to as “Emmanuel which, as it is interpreted is God is with God with us” (Matthew 1:13). The Christmas story has been told that was born at God’s heart. God and is only completed when it touches the human heart.
Don’t place Jesus into a container, and only take Jesus out when we require Him. Let us keep Jesus in our homes and our hearts. “Let everyone’s heart be prepared to make His room” not only at Christmas but all through the year.
— Jan White has compiled a collection of her columnists in her book “Everyday Faith for Daily Life.”
The article Keep Christmas in our homes and hearts throughout the year long was originally published in The Andalusia Star-News.
