The Nativity Story - The First Christmas

The Nativity Story - Day 73 - Daily Content Challenge

As I was setting up my Christmas decorations yesterday, the first item I came across was my handmade Nativity Scene. I want to tell you the story in pictures.

Mary and Joseph had to travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Mary’s baby was due and I am sure she was very tired when they arrived. Joseph tried to find them a place to stay but all the inns were full. The innkeeper managed to find them a place in his stable.

Picture One - imagine what the animals must be thinking! When the whole scene is put together we often can’t see all the details. Do you see the Angel at the top? The donkey, the cow, the sheep?

Picture Two - The time came for the baby to be born and the only place to lay the baby was in a feed trough or manger. Everything looks so neat and tidy but I imagine it wasn’t this clean in the stable.

There were shepherds out in the field watching their flocks by night and an angel appeared in the sky. And told the shepherds to go and see this thing that had come to pass. Suddenly a multitude of heavenly hosts were singing and praising God. So the shepherds went to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph and the baby laying in a manger.

Picture Three - the shepherd comes with a couple of his sheep!

Picture Four - Eventually the wise men arrive. They bring gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Did you notice the star at the top of the stable?

I am sure the baby is not still in the manger when the Magi arrive there but when we enact the Nativity Scene or display one we have made, all the characters are shown together. Epiphany (January 6th) is usually the day we celebrate the coming of the Wise Men but most nativity scenes will show all the main characters in one place at the stable in Bethlehem.