The hope, power and mystery of the baby in the nativity scene

A typical nativity scene that households around the world have had on display at Christmas for generations.

 BY FAYE MICHELSON 

What is the power of that so-familiar picture we see at Christmas? It’s a little scene of a man and a woman bending over a newborn, sometimes flanked by farm animals and shepherds, sometimes by kings bearing gifts, all illuminated by a large bright star.

What is the mystery wrapped up in the nativity scenes decorating houses and communities at Christmas? Crafted from wood, glass, or plastic and printed on cards, figures representing Mary and Joseph gazing at a tiny baby have been seen for hundreds of years across many generations.

What is the might of the infant, set centre-stage in all these scenes? Like all babies, there is the promise of a life to be lived. But, unlike the Marys and Josephs frozen in their nativity-scene time-capsules, we already know how the promise of this baby lives out. We know how he grows up, we know how he dies, and we know how the promise he fulfils comes from God.

Historical resistance This is the story that hasn’t changed in 2000 years.

It didn’t change in Cromwell’s England in the 1600s, even though the Protestants officially banned it. The Puritan movement was against festivities because it vehemently opposed anything that was associated with Catholicism – even celebrating the birth of the Saviour they worshipped. They were also against it because there were no birthday parties for Jesus mentioned in the Bible. And it seems they were against it because they were against anything fun; the first Christmas ban coincided with a legislated monthly day of prayer, repentance and fasting in 1644.

The bans kept increasing over the next decade to include the total banning of services and celebrations, and even imposed fines on parties in homes (no wonder there were riots in Kent!).

The government and political movements of the day could impose what bans they liked to change Christmas, but there was one thing they couldn’t change: the baby sent by God and the hope he represented. People wanted to celebrate that; in 1660, the Christmas ban was lifted.

Celebrating hope 

What is it about the birth of a baby 2000 years ago that sparks joy? It might seem counterintuitive to celebrate anything in a world where so many suffer so unfairly. And yet, last year, the residents of Ukrainian villages near the border with Belarus embraced Christmas, making the most of a joyful time.

These villages, which had been occupied within hours of the full Russian invasion on 24 February 2022, suffered extensive damage to buildings, with power supplies destroyed for years in a country with freezing winters. The Salvation Army regularly visits these villages and others to provide support.

Ivan Berezkin, of The Salvation Army in Eastern Europe, said the Christmas celebrations they organised were met with “great passion and enthusiasm”, especially the gifts. “Of course, Christmas celebration must be accompanied by Christmas presents,” he said. “It was great to see lots of happy faces during our visits.” 

What is it about the baby in the nativity scene that opens us up to celebration every year?

The world is ever-changing. History shows us that, and on a minuscule scale, it’s the same for each of us. Our world, our lives, are always changing. Some years are great, some are run-of-the-mill, and some are filled with hardship and tragedy.

Yet, while everything around us is constantly changing, the baby sent by God and the hope he represents is the same, yesterday, today and tomorrow. That’s the power, the mystery and the might of the infant in the nativity scene.