A Christ-Centered Christmas
Within the heart of every child is the joy that comes from the excitement of Christmas, but there is a deeper, more spiritual excitement that can be felt by each of us when we catch a glimpse of eternal realities and begin to understand the truth of Christ’s birth and what it really signifies. When this truth is understood, then a testimony is kindled and gradually begins to burn within the soul, testifying even to the youngest hearts, that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. In the Old Testament in Job, we read:
For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God (Job 19:25-26).
From the time that Adam and Eve were first placed on the earth, they looked forward to the time that the Savior would be born. They taught their children to anticipate His coming, and they in turn taught their children, and so the prophecies that foretold His birth began.
All those whose faith was strong, and whose love for righteousness was sincere, had manifestations of the Spirit that attested to the truth of the tradition that the Only Begotten Son of the Father would be born in the flesh to redeem all mankind from their sins. The New Testament testifies of the truth of Jesus Christ’s humble, but profound, birth with these familiar words from Luke:
And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger: Because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: And they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, fear not: For, behold, I bring you good tiding of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men (Luke 2:6-14).
May our testimonies burn within our souls as to the reality of Jesus Christ’s divine birth and eternal mission, and may we proclaim as did Isaiah from the Old Testament:
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called wonderful, counselor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6).
Click here to read my full post Christ the Savior is Born.
Nativity Presentation
In the December 1983 issue of the Friend magazine, a lovely Nativity Presentation was published. I photocopied this musical presentation out of the magazine along with all the suggested Christmas songs and made copies for our whole family. As a family, we have acted out this simple Nativity Presentation using this script every year since that time. As sons-in-law, daughters-in-laws, and grandchildren joined our family, the cast got bigger and bigger and the Christmas songs we would sing sounded better and better! We now have a wide variety of costumes to fit a wide variety of sizes depending upon who gets which part each year! At my husband David’s suggestion after moving to our ranch, we now go out to the barn with the horses as he reads the story of Christ’s birth from Luke in the New Testament and listen to Silent Night on the CD player. When it’s not too cold, we also do our Nativity Presentation in the barn, so we can better understand the reality and humility of Jesus Christ’s divine birth.
Click here for full Nativity Presentation.
Daily Christmas Reading
In the December 1989 issue of the New Era magazine, a twenty-five-day daily Christmas reading was published called, “Come, Let Us Adore Him: An Advent Calendar.” Once again, I photocopied this reading out of the magazine along with all the suggested hymns and made copies for our whole family. We have been reading it as a family every December since then. Some of my married children have requested copies of this reading so they can now read it with their children! The tradition continues!
Click here for all Christmas Readings.
Song: The Manger Scene
VERSE 1
Upon the hearth stood the manger scene.
A little boy knelt by wondering what it all could mean.
He touched the lamb and the shepherd boy—
Seeing them only as toys.
But when he came to the manger stall
His little eyes grew wide as he grasped the tiny doll.
“Is this baby Jesus?” he softly cried.
His mother answered this way:
CHORUS
A child was born of Mary
The son of a living God.
And He is our Redeemer
Born to love and save us all.
VERSE 2
The little boy grew to be a lad.
He tried in every way to please his mom and dad.
He learned to pray, and he learned to give—
Seeing the way he must live.
And in the spring when the hearth was bare,
He pictured in his mind the manger standing there.
Remembering the stories that Mother told
Of our dear Savior’s birth:
CHORUS
A child was born of Mary
The son of a living God.
And He is our Redeemer
Born to love and save us all.
VERSE 3
The boy was tall now and fully grown
And very soon the time would come for leaving home.
And this year’s Christmas would be his last—
How had the time gone so fast?
The blazing fire of the logs he split
Cast a glow around the tree so gaily lit.
And there on the hearth stood the manger scene—
Ever dear to him now.
CHORUS
A child was born of Mary
The son of a living God.
And He is our Redeemer
Born to love and save us all.