Spiritual Treasure
by Robert Martz, Pastor at Topeka Mennonite Church
As the Christmas season approaches, we start to see many different decorations to celebrate the season.
Lights, trees, snow and wreaths start
adorning many homes. One thing that
always gets unpacked at our house is
the nativity set. As I drive around, I
also see many other nativity scenes
all around. For me, it has additional
meanings when I see it. I would like
to share that with you and maybe you
will see it differently as you encounter
them also.
The nativity is a replica of the
birth of Jesus in the manger. We see
the infant Jesus along with Mary
and Joseph. Around them are usually
the shepherds and an angel. Also in
the scene are animals. Have you ever
considered that the animals are not
just random, but actually are there to
communicate something?
This is what I would like to present
for your consideration.
We all are expecting to see a lamb
at the nativity. Well, there are shepherds there, maybe one of the lambs
just came along. I would like to suggest
that the lamb is there to tell us something about Jesus.
In Genesis 22:7-8 Abraham is
called by God to sacrifice his son. As
they approach the sight, Isaac realizes
something is missing, “The fire and the
wood are here, but where is the lamb
for a burnt offering?” he asks.
Abraham responds prophetically,
“God himself will provide the lamb for
a burnt offering, my son.” Here, at the
birth of Jesus we are being reminded
that this is the Paschal Lamb that God
is providing for us.
A donkey is also found in many
manger scenes. Our thoughts go to
the animal used to transport Mary to
Bethlehem.
I would like to suggest a secondary
pg 22 · The Hometown Treasure · Dec. ‘11
Nativity Scenes
meaning. In Zechariah 9:9 we are told
of the coming of the King. “...Lo, your
king comes to you; triumphant and
victorious is he, humble and riding on
a donkey...” The donkey symbolizes the
kingship of Jesus. The donkey is also
the animal that carried the wood for
the sacrifice that Abraham and Isaac
experienced in Genesis 22. The donkey
symbolizes the King that is coming to
carry our burdens.
We also can find a cow in the quiet
scene. Although it might be considered
a common animal and just happened to
be there, I would like to suggest that it
too has a deeper meaning.
In Exodus 29:36 the Israelites are
told to “offer a bull as a sin offering for
atonement.” In Leviticus 4:13-14 the
Isrealites are told to “offer a bull of the
herd for a sin offering” to be the guilt
offering for the nation. It is a reminder
for us that Jesus is our guilt offering
whose blood pays for the sins of the
world.
I hope after reading and looking up
the verses for yourselves, that any time
you come across a nativity scene you
will see more than just an infant in a
manger. You will see the King of Kings
and Lamb of God who was provided by
God to carry our burdens and pays the
price for the sins of the world.
In all the hustle and bustle of the
Christmas season, I hope when you encounter a nativity scene you will stop
to reflect about the deeper meaning of
the season. May it help us all to stay
focused on Christ during the Christmas season.