The Eight O’Clock
News December 2019 8 am Service, Christ Church Kenilworth 021-797-6332
Picture the Scene Do you remember your first Nativity scene?
Was it a work of art or did you participate in a living re-enactment? I recall that my first artistic attempt was creating a scene in a tissue box standing on its side with cut-out figures. I played Joseph in the Christmas play just because I was then the tallest in the class and we were all girls. The Independent Newspaper published a rather amusing piece entitled: ‘Here’s what your school Nativity character says about you’. Mary: you had a louder-than-average voice for a 5-year old, you were not averse to holding hands with boys and your parents were likely to contribute to school funds in a significant way. Joseph: always does his homework, is definitely going to be a prefect, is quite quiet but also somehow annoying and will grow up to invent an app that will make him a millionaire. Narrator: is the one who always organizes social engagements, loves the sound of their own voice and ends up doing everything because they don’t trust anyone else to do it right. Shepherds: are real lads, sometimes a bit naughty but it is really a cry for attention. They pretend not to enjoy wearing a tea towel on their heads but secretly love it! Wise Men: are well-behaved, the top of the class type who can be trusted with expensive looking props and their introspection and dignity translate into a sombre, thoughtful expression when presenting gifts to Baby Jesus. They also have a good sense of direction especially when following stars. Donkeys: are cheeky, they can be a bit of an ass at times; they’re too cool to take the play seriously but love being an important part of the story. Angels: in the background, crave attention, are constantly disappointed, jealous of other people’s success and rebellious in the face of obscurity. They are capable of entertaining themselves for hours with a piece of tinsel that ‘fell off’ the halo. The Star: thinks they got the role because of their star quality— actually it is because they’re too nervous to speak in front of the parents. They are team players though. As we enter the Christmas season, it is helpful to contemplate the figures who were there at the first Christmas and consider how they give us an example today. First, surrounding Jesus, are the holiest ones, Mary and the angels. As Mary received Jesus in her womb with humility and complete openness to God’s will, we are called to receive Jesus as Lord and Saviour—with such humble courage and prayerful service and to bring His love to the world. With the angels, we announce the Gospel by word, deed, prayer and sacrifice. The word “angel” comes from the Latin angelus or Greek aggelos, which mean “messenger.” Alongside is Joseph. He never wore a crown but he lived out the virtues of great leaders and fathers: prayerfulness, courage, purity December 2019 Eight O’Clock News
and justice. Like him, we seek, not the glory of this world but act in a fashion worthy of a heavenly crown. Likewise, in humble dedication are the shepherds, who were looked down upon by society, but privileged by God as the first to receive the Gospel. Called in the middle of daily work, they brought their labour to Jesus in the form of sheep, a model for us to see Jesus in our daily labour, joyfully accepting the duties we have been given. Coming later at Epiphany are the magi who journeyed with a mysterious revelation from heaven that they did not fully understand. We are also called to journey toward heaven along paths that we often do not comprehend but trusting in the guidance of truth from God. Even the animals in that stable are important, especially the donkey and the ox. Among other things, they represent attentiveness to God’s calling, fulfilling the words of Isaiah (1:3), “An ox knows its owner and the donkey its master’s manger, but Israel does not know, my people have not understood.” The world may ignore the word of God and the Word made man, but here nature honours her Creator. In imitating their humble adoration, and in seeking the virtues of those people at that first Nativity, we welcome Jesus, the Son of God who, as the poet Chesterton put it, became homeless that we all may find our final home. - Cheryl Anderson