THE service at Crediton Methodist Church on Sunday, December 21 was organised by the Church For All Team and led by Pam Murphy and was entitled “Stations of the Nativity”.

We have heard this nativity story many, many times. Pam suggested we try and imagine it is the first time we are hearing it. We should listen carefully and wonder what happened more than 2,000 years ago and why?

The Journey to a stable, Luke 2. Cathy wondered what preparations Mary and Joseph had made for the birth, but all these were blown away when the Roman Emperor called a census and everyone had to return to their home town.

Their journey was between 80 to 100 miles and could have taken so 8 to 10 days. Mary, heavily pregnant, would have wondered what was God doing? And why?

God came to earth in human form to identify with us in our brokenness, in our disappointments and in our struggles. He came in utmost poverty when life feels messy and chaotic. God works His purpose out in ways that we cannot imagine.

A baby is born, Luke 2. Hilary asked why was Jesus born a baby? It was to fulfil the prophesy in Isaiah and so that Jesus could experience the ups and downs of being human and understand disappointments and temptations.

Why was Jesus born to ordinary humble parents, not wealthy and influential parents? Wouldn’t it have been better to come from a powerful family? It was all part of God’s plan that Jesus was born to humble parents so that He could identify with the poor. Mary rejoiced at the birth of Jesus despite the poverty of the surroundings. She trusted God and received the divine gift of the Christ child. As we look forward to receiving presents this Christmas, may we remember the special gift of Jesus who brings hope to everyone.

Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus were brought and placed in the stable.

Poor shepherds visit Jesus, Luke 2, Cathy said shepherds were regarded as lowly, unreliable and were disqualified giving testimony in Jewish courts. In the greatest twist of grace, God chose shepherds to be the first to hear the news of Jesus’s birth.

This shows the message of the Messiah was not reserved for the rich and powerful but was for everyone including the humble, overlooked and those who were not trusted. God’s plan is full of unexpected surprises.

The shepherds did not expect the announcement by the angels that the Messiah had been born. This was life-changing news for them, for the people of the day and for us two millennia later. The Messiah is here.

God works in unexpected ways. Whilst we are living ordinary lives, He is doing extraordinary things. He calls us to trust Him faithfully.

The shepherds and sheep were added to the stable scene.

Rich Kings Visit Jesus, Matthew 2. Lloyd said the visitors sometimes were referred to as Kings, or Magi or Wise Men.

They were Persians from the priestly group who were teachers to Persian kings. They studied philosophy, medicine, astronomy, astrology, and were familiar with ancient prophecies.

They had seen a change in the night sky and a new source of light spoke to them of the coming of a king from Judea and they followed that star to a house in Bethlehem.

They realised they had found the king they had been seeking and offered gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

Gold was a gift for a king, frankincense was a sweet smelling perfume used in temples for worship and myrrh an embalming oil pointing to the day Jesus would die for our sins.

The Magi reminded us that Christmas calls for our attention and Jesus came to our world to offer salvation for sinners.

The Magi were added to the stable.

Ways of Remembering - Pam said Christmas is a time for remembering that Jesus was born in a stable, had been visited by shepherds and wise men and that is where it ends for some people.

Jesus’s birth was the beginning not the end. It was the beginning of Christ with us.

We know that as He grew, He experienced human suffering and joy, persecution, loneliness and grief, He felt hunger and anger and other human experiences that we feel.

He felt the agonising death on a Roman cross. Then through the power of God, Jesus was raised from death and ascended to heaven, leaving us with the promise that He will return.

All this encourages us to know who Jesus is to us and how we experience Him. So, as well as a historical Jesus at Christmas, we can also expect Him to born in our own hearts. On Christmas Day it will be a reminder that Jesus came for us and for all of God’s creation.

It is a special gift which, like love, we can share and it never runs out. It is an opportunity to share that love and let people know. We should have the joy of Christ in our hearts.

Jesus promised he would return – it will be in God’s time but He will return and it is important that we are ready for when He comes.

Bronwyn Nott