By RaeLynn DeAngelis
My friend treated me to a ceramic’s painting class for my birthday. Knowing that my love language is time spent with those I care about, she attended the class with me.
When we arrived, we scoured the gallery of molded ceramics on the shelves. My friend chose a small pot to be used as a planter. I decided on a ceramic mold of Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus huddled together.
I wondered if the faces would be too difficult to paint, but then I remembered my treasured Willow figurines with blank faces and decided I could do something similar.
The instructor coached us to follow the color wheel template when choosing paint colors, as our pieces would change dramatically once they were fired in the kiln.
She was right! After my friend picked them up from the shop, I was amazed to see how the rich, dark colors had brought our artwork to life. They were completely transformed. The once chalky surfaces became glossy and reflected all the surrounding light.
When I placed the nativity in our home, I positioned it next to a beautiful crystal-cut cross sitting on our bedroom dresser. It didn’t resonate at first, but later when I stopped to reflect on the Nativity scene, it hit me. From cradle to cross, the glory of God is revealed.
Each Christmas season, we focus on the babe in the manger. Celebrating our Savior’s birth and God’s message of peace on earth, goodwill toward men included a promise, a promise that humanity’s redemption would come through God’s one and only Son.
Although the birth of Jesus is a miracle to behold, there’s more to the story. The precious baby swaddled in a manger was later stripped and hung on a cross. Between the cradle and the cross, Jesus endured tremendous opposition, hatred, and unbelief. He was tortured, crucified, and hung on a tree. But thankfully, that’s not the end of the story. Three days later, Jesus rose from the grave and marked our sin-debt paid-in-full.
Like ceramics fired in a kiln, the intense heat Jesus endured brought about great transformation that reaches out and touches you and me. The next time you see a nativity scene with baby Jesus lying in the manger, remember Jesus our Savior dying on the cross. A cross that is now empty, shining forth the love and light of our heavenly Father who couldn’t bear to spend eternity without us. Glory to God in the highest and peace to His people on earth.
“In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register.
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told” (Luke 2:1-20).
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas!
Looking for a way to connect with God daily? Check out our daily devotional books: Living in Truth Day by Day *** Living in Truth Mind, Body, Spirit *** Living in Truth: A Christmas Devotional
