I did several things on my birthday last week. I met with a young woman in the afternoon who recently lost a child. Then Bob and I went to dinner at Cracker Barrel and afterwards drove through a living nativity scene.
It was very well done with Roman Soldiers, pilgrims heading to Bethlehem, wise men, shepherds and their flocks, prophets, an angel and choir, and finally Mary, Joseph and the Christ Child. As we drove through there were signs with verses from Luke Chapters 1 and 2.
There was also something that had me laughing when I noticed one group of pilgrims heading toward Bethlehem accompanied by a labradoodle. He was having a great time greeting all the other pilgrims along the way.
As I drove through this living nativity I was deeply touched by its portrayal of Christ’s birth. My heart had been heavy most of the day as I thought about those experiencing loss and grief. Driving through the living nativity I saw a living example of what Christ-mas is all about – the Joy of Hope.
Christ came. As a babe. Destined for an ignoble cross. Through His resurrection, He became our Living Hope that this life, with all its sorrows and tears and partings, is not all there is.
“Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. According to His great mercy, He has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” [1Peter 1:3 HCSB]
