The Nativity

We have enjoyed experiencing various nativity presentations throughout Advent.  It has been such a joy to see these expressions of glad tidings and good news come to life in unique ways.

We have seen preschoolers raise the star of Bethlehem and guide the angels, the holy family, the shepherds, and the wise men.  We have seen the best King Herod ever--high and lofty in his dark shades and black leather jacket.  We have watched as a congregation itself was transformed into the nativity right before our very eyes.   We have seen the angels of Heaven watching the people of our "topsy turvy" World on Terrestrial Television.  And I have been touched in some way by each of these presentations in the storytelling.

These have been so much fun because Laura-Clare has not only enjoyed them while on the edge of her seat but has been able to experience the birth narrative "first hand."   These experiences have given her new language to talk about the story of the baby Jesus, and so this story has come to life in our household in new ways for this Christmas season.  In fact, she has been able to play with her Fisher Price Little People Nativity in a whole new way this year.

She can identify the characters in the story and engage with them, and in many ways, this nativity has become the focal point for our household instead of the Christmas tree.  It draws out the best in nativity fun especially when the star is pressed and "Away in a Manger" begins to play.  This is when the dancing starts.  It is a very sweet and honest response for the Christ child.  The little drummer boy played his drums.  Laura-Clare dances.

She was also dancing the day that we witnessed the presentation of a Topsy Turvy Christmas.  I was particularly struck by the "lead track" in this nativity play written by Lucy Moore and Neil Ogley.  It shares a Christmas message that a two year old may not really understand, but there certainly can be dancing.  Take a look at the lyrics.

"Topsy Turvy World"

It's a topsy turvy world we live in
We long for peace but we end up with war
It's a topsy turvy world we live in
We have enough and we still long for more
And we fight and we kill for a few miles of ground.
It's a topsy turvy world we live in
Find me a place where it all comes right way round.

It's a topsy turvy world we live in
Children go hungry and starve on the street
It's a topsy turvy world we live in
Others are dying from too much to eat
And there's plenty for all if we shared it around.
It's a topsy turvy world we live in
Find me a time when it all comes right way round.

It's a topsy turvy world we live in
We fly into space but so many don't know
In this topsy turvy world we live in
About him who made us to live, love and grow
And we've found out so much, but there's one we've not found.
It's a topsy turvy world we live in
Find me the one who will bring the right way round.

It's a topsy turvy world we live in
But God came at Christmas from heaven above
It's a topsy turvy world we live in
And live, died, and rose up to show us his love
And this love shows the way we can change things around.
It's a topsy turvy world we live in
But working with God we can turn it right way round.

Yes, fun and meaningful storytelling for all ages!

So, we may live in an upside down world, but God intends with our help to "turn it right way round."  I am always looking for glimpses of things that are "right way round" in our world.  I am always hoping that "we can change things around."  I think that when the nativity story comes alive in our midst we might just see our "topsy turvy" world and lives transformed.  Because of God's generosity through incarnation, maybe we will become more generous and selfless.  Then, maybe there will be a little less topsy turvy at all.

I saw a little less topsy turvy and caught a glimpse of "right way round" the other day while Laura-Clare was arranging the scene on her brand new felt board nativity.  Once the characters, animals, and props were situated, she carefully placed her collection of little Christmas cracker toys onto the empty manger (to our surprise without any prompting).  She said that she wanted baby Jesus to have toys to play with once he was born.

And so we receive the Christ child once again this Christmas so that our "topsy turvy" world might find itself "right way round."  May we be ready with generous and selfless hearts, with dancing, and with lots of toys.