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10 Timeless Lessons From the Nativity Scene

Found in the first two chapters of both Matthew and Luke, the Nativity recounts the miraculous birth of Jesus Christ. Set in Bethlehem more than two millennia ago, the story revolves around Mary, a young virgin, and Joseph, her betrothed, who, guided by a divine plan, journey to Bethlehem. Unable to find lodging, the couple takes refuge in a humble manger, where Mary gives birth to Jesus. The scene is graced by the presence of shepherds, who receive angelic announcements heralding the arrival of the Messiah, and later, the magi who follow a guiding star to marvel at the newborn King.

In the heart of the Nativity story lies a timeless portrait that offers lessons with enduring relevance. From the humble manger to the magis’ arrival, each element carries teachings that resonate in the world today. As we explore the wisdom of the Nativity, we uncover insight that inspires respectful leadership, compassionate communities, and a deeper connection to the fundamental values that shape our lives.

1. Humility in Leadership

Biblical Context:
Jesus was born in a humble manger, a setting that contrasts with the grandeur often associated with leadership. The choice of a manger for Jesus' birth, rather than a royal palace, exemplifies the humility of Christ. This intentional act communicates that leadership is about service and putting others' needs before one's own, serving as a powerful reminder that effective leadership involves humility and a willingness to serve.

Modern Parallel:
In today’s leadership, humility remains a timeless virtue. Leaders who acknowledge the strengths of their team, actively listen, and are willing to learn from others exemplify the humility mirrored in the Nativity. By focusing on collaboration and shared success rather than personal acclaim, leaders can create environments conducive to growth and innovation. The Nativity narrative, therefore, becomes a guide for leaders aspiring to lead with grace and humility.

2. Embracing Change

Biblical Context:
Embracing change is illustrated through the arduous journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem. The Gospel of Luke describes the census decree by Caesar Augustus, compelling the couple to travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem. This unexpected change in plans and the arduous journey to Bethlehem, on top of the challenges of Mary's pregnancy, represents a divine orchestration of events that required the acceptance of change. Facing unexpected challenges, the couple adapted to their circumstances, demonstrating resilience and flexibility in uncertainty.

Modern Parallel:
Individuals and organizations can draw inspiration from Mary and Joseph's journey, viewing unforeseen changes not as obstacles but as opportunities for learning, innovation, and personal development. By fostering a positive mindset and a willingness to adapt, people can navigate uncertainties with grace and resilience, just as the Nativity story exemplifies.

3. Inclusivity and Acceptance

Biblical Context:
The Nativity story beautifully underscores the theme of inclusivity and acceptance through its diverse cast of characters. Shepherds, often considered on the fringes of society, were among the first to receive the angels' proclamation of Jesus' birth. Mary and Joseph welcomed shepherds, often considered marginalized in society, to witness the birth of Jesus. Additionally, the magi, traditionally believed to be from the East, possibly from different nations, who traveled to Bethlehem are representative of various nationalities and backgrounds. Mary and Joseph's open reception of shepherds coupled with the magi's inclusion from different nations, exemplify a harmonious gathering around the central event of Jesus' birth.

Modern Parallel:
In a time when social and cultural differences can sometimes create divides, the inclusion surrounding the Nativity inspires us to extend acceptance and welcome individuals from all walks of life, promoting understanding and unity. This theme urges contemporary society to celebrate diversity and create inclusive environments, calling for a mindset that recognizes the beauty in our differences. 

4. Seeking Guidance and Wisdom

Biblical Context:
Guided by a celestial star, the magi demonstrate the importance of seeking external guidance in making significant decisions. 

Modern Parallel:
In our intricate world, seeking guidance extends beyond mentorship, continuous learning, and thoughtful reflection—it encompasses a connection with the divine. Tapping into the experiences and wisdom of others remains essential for informed decisions and effective navigation of challenges. Integrating the spiritual dimension, and seeking guidance from God enriches the journey, striking a harmonious balance between earthly wisdom and insights from a higher power. 

5. Finding Joy in Simple Moments

Biblical Context:
The juxtaposition of Jesus' birth in a stable rather than a grand setting affirms the notion that joy can be found in the most unanticipated places. This humble beginning becomes a poignant reminder that significance is not always tied to extravagance.

Modern Parallel:
The joy emanating from the Nativity illustrates genuine happiness often lies in moments of simplicity and heartfelt connections. The narrative prompts a reevaluation of values in the modern context, urging individuals to savor the simplicity inherent in daily life. Taking time to appreciate small moments, connect with loved ones, and enjoy the beauty in everyday life contributes to overall well-being and a more positive outlook.

6. Community Support

Biblical Context:
The shepherds, responding to the angels' proclamation, represent the immediate community surrounding the birth of Jesus. Their presence and involvement highlight the importance of communal bonds and shared responsibility throughout life events.

Modern Parallel:
The lesson of community support encourages individuals to participate in community initiatives actively, lend a helping hand to neighbors, and support a sense of collective well-being. By engaging in shared experiences and supporting one another, individuals contribute to the creation of resilient and interconnected communities, mirroring the ethos embedded in the Nativity.

7. Generosity and Gift-Giving:

Biblical Context:
The magi's presentation of gifts—gold, frankincense, and myrrh—carries symbolic significance, representing offerings of wealth, worship, and anointing. Their gifts emphasize the sentiment and intention behind the act of giving.

Modern Parallel:
The lesson of generosity encourages individuals to move beyond materialistic notions of gift-giving. By focusing on the sentiment, thought, and meaning behind the gifts they offer, individuals can develop a culture of generosity that goes beyond the material value. This approach enriches connections and contributes to a more compassionate and empathetic society.

8. Hope in Dark Times

Biblical Context:
The birth of Jesus brought hope to a troubled world, promising a new beginning and a transformative presence. The Nativity communicates the idea that even in challenging times, hope can bring about positive change.

Modern Parallel:
While experiencing challenges, the Nativity encourages individuals to hold onto hope. By acknowledging difficulties while maintaining optimism for the future, people can contribute to a collective spirit of resilience and positive change.

9. Family and Togetherness

Biblical Context:
The Holy Family, Mary, Joseph, and Jesus, exemplifies the idea of togetherness, unity, and familial support. Their shared experiences and the bonds they form during their journey serve as a model for the strength derived from family connections.

Modern Parallel:
Prioritizing family involves creating an environment of love, support, and open communication. Quality time, shared traditions, and mutual understanding strengthen family ties. Family togetherness creates the space for healthy emotional well-being and resilience.

10. Faith and Trust in the Divine Plan

Biblical Context:
Mary and Joseph's trust in God's plan is a central theme in the story of the Nativity. Their faith serves as a testament to the idea that, even in uncertain times, trusting in a higher purpose can provide guidance and resilience.

Modern Parallel:
Encouraging faith and trust involves finding strength in one's beliefs. When faced with challenges and hardships, individuals can draw on their faith to guide their decisions and actions, providing them with a sense of purpose, resilience, and inner peace. 

Drawing the Curtain

Through humility, adaptability, community support, and a steadfast connection to faith, the Nativity story beckons us to embrace a deeper sense of purpose and interconnectedness. As we carry these lessons forward, may they serve as guiding lights in our pursuit of a more harmonious and meaningful journey through life.

-Torrance Church of Christ

The Birth of Christ

Below is a short summary of the Birth of Christ. You can find the Christmas Story in Luke Chapters 1 and 2 and Matthew Chapters 1 and 2. 

Mary and Joseph were a young engaged couple living in Nazareth, a town in Galilee. God sent the Angel Gabriel to visit Mary. Gabriel said to her:

But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” 

Luke 1:30-33

Confused, Mary asked Gabriel how that could be so, considering she was a virgin. 

The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.

Luke 1:35

Mary faithfully agreed, stating that she was the Lord’s servant. 

Evenso, Joseph began to have doubts. Because Mary was pregnant, he wasn’t sure if he should still marry her. 

So an Angel visited him in a dream:

But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”(which means “God with us”).

Matthew 1:20-23

This comforted Joseph, and he took Mary as his wife. 

Months later, all the people of the Roman Empire were ordered to register for a census. Because Joseph was from the line of David, the couple traveled by donkey to the town of Bethlehem so they could register. It was here that Mary went into labor.  Because of the census, Bethlehem was overcrowded. Mary and Joseph were turned away for a room.  

They took refuge in a stable. Surrounded by farm animals, Mary humbly brought The Son of God into His earthly existence. Baby Jesus was swaddled and placed into a manger full of hay for a bed. 

In the nearby fields, an angel appeared to a troop of shepherds that were watching over their flocks.

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.”

Luke 2:9-12

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.”

Luke 2:13-14

The angels left, and the shepherds excitedly agreed to find the stable giving shelter to the Baby Jesus. After visiting the new family, the shepherds joyously told everyone about the Messiah. They left glorifying God. 

After some time, three Magi (Wise Men) came to Jerusalem, seeking out the Messiah. 

and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

Matthew 2:2

This made King Herod angry, for he wanted to be seen as the king of the Jews. Herod met with the Magi and instructed them to follow the star and find Baby Jesus. They were to report back to him the exact location of the Christ Child. 

The Magi followed the star until they found the small family. 

When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.

Matthew 2:10

The three men offered gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, and they worshiped The Newborn King. 

Soon after, the Magi left back to their country, taking a different route so they would avoid Herod. 

Other Places in The Bible Christ’s Birth is Mentioned:

 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

Isaiah 7:14

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”

Micah 5:2

One Last Note...

Although we do not know the Month of Christ’s birth, we do know it was during the time Herod governed. Even though we do not know when He was born, December 25th and the Christmas Season as a whole, have been designated to celebrate His birth since 336 A.D. 

Author Max Lucado observed, “ Christmas begins what Easter celebrates.”

Regardless of knowing the factual date, the extraordinary reality that most of mankind is focused on Him is simply beautiful. What is truly important is that He was born, whatever date that was, because if He hadn’t been born, He couldn’t lead us toward eternal salvation. Therefore, let’s celebrate His birth with the rest of the world! 

Take delight in this sacred celebration that enables us to honor Christ by employing the Christmas Spirit to spread goodness and love to all. 

We are Wishing You a Very Merry and Blessed Christmas!

- Torrance Church of Christ

Fun Family Activities for the Christmas Season

The Christmas Season is about love, giving, peace, spreading cheer, and celebrating the birth of God’s greatest gift: His Son. It is through Christ that we are able to live in light and return to Our Father in Heaven. 

As the stresses of life turn over to Christmas Joy, the harmony and hospitality that come from God are magnified. We need to nourish these feelings of goodwill and benevolence. 

Below are activities the entire family can enjoy that will help capture the true meaning of the Season. 

The Activities

Learn More About Christ with a Characteristics of Christ Christmas Countdown Jar- Grab a jar and print out the characteristics of Jesus printables below. Fold and place each characteristic of Jesus into the jar. Beginning December first, pull out one of the attributes and read one (or more) of the scriptures relating to the trait. Do this every day leading up to Christmas. (There will be leftover papers, but that just adds to the surprise of the next Christmas). This activity allows you and your family to get to know Jesus a little better as well as deepen your sacred relationship with Him. 

Donate Food to the Local Food Bank- The Christmas Season is full of the spirit of giving. Collecting and donating non-perishable food items is a great way to harbor the giving bug. Bonus- it is a fantastic teaching moment for children. 

Go Caroling- Brush up those singing voices and spread merriment by caroling throughout your neighborhood. 

***BONUS*** You can gather a group (maybe another family or friends) and sing carols at a local retirement home. 

Find an Angel Tree and Go Shopping for a Present as a Family- Give a gift to a child in your community! As a group, choose a child to gift. Altogether, shop for and wrap the present. Make it an experience the whole family can enjoy. 

Arrange a Service Manger- On the first of December, set aside a space in your home and find a manger. Leave a small stack of straw nearby. Every time someone in the household does something kind for another person, they get to place a piece of straw into the manger. The objective is to have the manger filled with straw by Christmas Day so that Baby Jesus would have a warm, and cozy bed. 

Bake and Decorate Holiday-Themed Cookies for Your Neighbors- Some of the best memories are made in the kitchen. 

Every Day in the Month of December, Have a Family Devotional Focused on the Birth of the Savior- The Birth of Christ should be the center of Christmastime. A great way to make sure you don’t lose sight of the true meaning of Christmas is to dedicate a time to gather as a family and hold a devotional about His birth. 

Decorate the Christmas Tree as a Family- This one may seem obvious, but it is a fun and festive way to connect with your family. 

As a Family, Create Your Own Christmas Cards and Send Them- Release your creative side and design homemade Christmas cards to send to your loved ones. Christmas cards are an excellent way to spread some Christmas cheer. If you want to include a message from the Bible, click here for inspiration. 

Donate Gently Used Books to a Women's Shelter- Clean out your bookshelves and donate your gently used books to women's shelters. Women's shelters are often looking for all sorts of books, ranging from children’s books to adult novels. 

Watch a Christmas Movie- Throw the popcorn in the microwave, snuggle up on the couch wearing your favorite PJs, nestle into your warmest blanket, and watch one of your treasured Christmas movies together. 

Setup a Nativity Together- Enjoy putting together a nativity scene as a family. As you’re doing so, be mindful of Christ and reflect on all that He has given us. 

Make a Night of Driving Around and Looking at Christmas Lights- Get out of the house and admire all of the festive lights and decorations around your community. 

Make Little Goodie Bags for Kids in the Local Children’s Hospital- Light up a child’s life by donating goodie bags to children who are unable to spend the Christmas Season at home. You can assemble these bags with simple things such as: coloring books and coloring supplies (crayons, markers, colored pencils), stickers, legos, or anything else you can think of. 

Organize a Christmas Music Dance Party- It doesn’t have to be anything fancy. All you need is you, your family, and some Christmas tunes. Pump up the volume and let loose!

Read the Story of Christmas- Pull out your Bible and flip it open to The Book of Matthew and The Book of Luke. Both Matthew chapters 1 & 2 and Luke chapters 1 & 2 contain the story of the Savior's birth. 

Make Peppermint Bark and Gingerbread Men and Pass Them Out to Your Local Police and Fire Departments- Pass along the holiday joy by showing your appreciation to the first responders who work hard and diligently to protect your community. 

Donate Clothing to a Homeless Shelter- Some useful and needed items you can donate are pants, jackets, and gloves to help keep some of our unhoused brothers and sisters warmer. 

Make Ornaments Together- Not only will these ornaments be unique and personal, but they’ll also serve as a great reminder every Christmas about the time you spent as a family. 

Download and Print Christmas Coloring Pages and Color Them Together- Locate your inner child and take satisfaction in coloring bright and cheery Christmas coloring pages with your kids. It is a remarkable way to get in some quality time together. 

Assemble a Christmas Present for Any Teachers in Your Life- Go shopping with your kid(s) and let them choose a Christmas present for their teacher(s). The present doesn’t have to be anything extravagant, just a little something to remind the teacher that they are cherished. 

Donate to a Charity- Mutually agree on a charity and send a Christmas donation. 

Decorate Gingerbread Houses- Building and decorating gingerbread houses is a classic holiday tradition that is fun for the whole family!

Put Together a “Gifts for Jesus” Box- Find a box that will serve as your “Gifts for Jesus” box. As a family, decorate the box. Everyone then fills out a note, explaining what gift they are giving to Jesus that year. Some examples of gifts are: being kinder to siblings, letting go of grudges, helping others, or anything else that exemplifies Christlike behavior. Place the notes in the box and keep it under the tree until Christmas is over. Set the box aside until the following Christmas. Devote yourself to keeping your gift to Jesus. The next Christmas, pull out the box and assess how well each of you committed to your gift.

Read Christmas Stories- Classic and modern Christmas stories are a fun and fantastic way to delight in the joy the Season brings. 

Create a Christmas Dinner Menu- Let everyone have input on what they would like to eat for Christmas dinner.

 ***BONUS*** Put together a box of your Christmas dinner menu items and donate it to a family in need. 

Leave a Basket of Treats on Your Porch for Your Delivery Persons- Christmastime is one of the busiest times for delivery persons. Show them your appreciation for the work that they do by leaving out a basket of treats they can pick from. Attach a note of gratitude to each of the snacks. 

Spend Quality Time Together with a Puzzle- Working together to assemble a puzzle is a positive way to reinforce patience, teamwork, harmony, and unity. 

Have a Game Night- The games don’t need to be Christmas-themed. Game nights are a great way to enjoy and connect with each other. 

Make White Chocolate Peppermint Hot Cocoa- Warm up with a yummy hot treat the whole family will enjoy!

Remember

Christmastime is a wonderful time that we can not only grow closer to our earthly family, but we can use this time to honor and celebrate Christ by becoming more Christlike. We can serve others, spread goodwill and love, and follow the path of righteousness. 

- Torrance Church of Christ