The easiest way to answer the question of why we collect nativities is to say because "Jesus is the reason for the season . Since He is the reason we need to put the emphasis on Jesus' birth. Early on, the reason was to collect was to expand the number of nativities displayed at the nursing home when I did the annual, one day, display as an activity.
Soon the collection began to grow by leaps and bounds.Because I enjoy making many different kinds of crafts, including ceramics and plastic canvas needlepoint, I began making them. We both enjoy going to yard sales and thrift stores, so we bought many more. When we travel we try to bring back a nativity. Our friends and family give us nativities as gifts. Now, we try to limit our acquisitions to small ones and very distinct ones.
We love the diversity in the interpretation of the nativity. We do not confine ourselves to a specific genre of nativity nor cost of the nativity. We especially like to find ones that depict the culture and/or are made of unusual materials. Soda cans, the ashes of Mt St. Helens, mother of pearl, a crab shell and wax are some of those materials.
And we collect and display our nativities as a witness to others about our faith. The foundation of our home has always been the Lord. His birth is the most important event in history because without Him we would not have eternal life. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son so that whoever believes in Him will be saved. John 3:16. Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life" John 14:6
Jack found the following in one of his daily devotional books which gives a further explanation of why we collect nativities.
The Christmas celebration has become a subject of debate in
our nation. There are those who feel that celebrating the birth of Christ
should not have so much press. There are those who feel that the Nativity scene
should not be part of the Christmas experience in the United States. Christmas
carols have come under attack for being too religious.
I am
more and more convinced that Christmas needs to celebrate the birth of Christ.
that’s the reason the holiday began. We would have never had Christmas to
celebrate had Jesus not been born. It is a celebration of a birth so miraculous
and so holy that even the stars led the way to his manger.
If we
did not display the Nativity during the Christmas season, it would be the same
as not displaying the flag on the Fourth of July. We sing songs of worship all
year, but “Silent Night, Holy Night” was written to tell the birth of Jesus
Christ. “O Holy Night”’’ was written in recognition of that holy night when
Christ was born.
As time
goes on, I become more and more steadfast in standing up to the naysayer who
would attempt to take Christ out of Christmas. I stand on the solid ground, as
the Scripture says, to let others know in public praise. Christmas Day is a Christian celebration not
to be taken from me.
There
are many in the military stationed in places far from their immediate families,
whether that is in the United States or in foreign countries. I can tell you,
after living as a military family overseas for seven of the twenty-two years of
service, that Christmas was a time that gave us a sense of homecoming. It was
our times Christians to decorate and celebrate this holiday celebrated around
the world in different ways. Often it was a time of publicly praise the Lord
through explaining what Christmas is all about.
I know
there are many this Christmas season who will not be with their families or
families of those who have given the ultimate sacrifice o f their lives who
will never be with their loved one again. I pray on their behalf tha ti can
continue to publicly praise the Lord and keep Christ in the Christmas
celebration.
I stand
on solid ground, and I will publicly praise the Lord. Psalm 26:12
Carol McGlothlin, the One Year Yellow Ribbon Devotional
