A Great View
My office window looks out over the south parking lot of our church. Admittedly, that may not be quite as picturesque as a shimmering ocean or a towering mountain range. But where I sit today, what I see is even more beautiful than anything nature has to offer.
God’s People Serving Together
This is the time of year when our church family comes together to set up the Living Nativity, a series of 12 full size sets depicting various aspects of the Christmas story. This is the 20th anniversary of the Lafayette Living Nativity. An estimated 150,000 have gone through the Nativity in that period of time. What a marvelous way to share the good news of Jesus Christ at Christmastime.
Ordinary People Doing Ordinary Things
The past few days, men and women have been working outside my window doing pre-setup. I have rejoiced as I have looked up from my desk from time to time to see men and women joyfully serving Christ, and I had the privilege of joining the team this morning for the full set up day. Some of the people serving have been involved in the Living Nativity for all 20 years. They are towers of faithfulness, the kind of people where Christ’s grace, mercy, and strength are deliciously evident. There are also men and women who are brand new to our church. Some have just recently become followers of Christ. Others were connected to our church through some crisis in their life. Watching such a diverse group of people serve together is a wonderful thing.
Just Like Their Lord
The Living Nativity celebrates and proclaims the good news that God loved the world and sent His only Son to be our Savior. Every person who repents and believes can have a personal relationship with God because of the finished work of Christ on the cross. But the Nativity reminds us that Jesus did not come as a powerful king in the eyes of the world. He came as a humble servant, a lamb, who would some day die for the sins of man.
Jesus would later teach his followers, Whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many (Matthew 20:26-28).
That is why the view from my window is so beautiful today. Men and women, who have been marvelously transformed by the saving work of Christ are now serving Jesus together. People from all walks of life. Young and old. Long time Christians and individuals brand new to the faith. Having a great time setting up a series of scenes that proclaims the greatest story ever told. Beautiful.
