Advent Devotional: Monday, December 9, 2024

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

Illustrated by Elizabeth Gentry (Age 10)

Most people’s memories during the Christmas season revolve around the lights, tree or the snow. But what I remember most is sitting at our dining room table and staring at our nativity scene. I don’t know why but so many of my Christmas memories revolve around nativity scenes. I would just sit there for an hour from the ages of five to nine and just stare at it. For one of my Christmas gifts my grandparents gave me a nativity set of my own since they knew how much I loved them. I was thrilled to have one of my own that I could keep in my room and arranged the way that I wanted it.

I remember that for a few years my mom would help set up the church for the holidays. I would always join her and Ann Whitlock and begged them to help set up all the nativity scenes. There were a lot of debates between us about where each of the characters would go throughout the scene. One thing about the arrangement that my mom ingrained in me was that Jesus was the center of the nativity — even though this seems like a basic staple in setting up the scene. This rule really brought home to me the meaning of Christmas as a holiday that should be centered around our Lord and Savior. I feel that as humans we get lost in the spectacle of Christmas and forget what we are celebrating.

Now that I have gotten older, I don’t spend as much time staring at nativity scenes. But I do find them in the center of Christmas while they don’t have all the shining lights and the big draw, they do have the central and humble meaning of Christmas. They help to keep me grounded in what is most important in the holiday and to keep Jesus the center of it.

Dear Lord, please help everyone remember the true meaning of Christmas and see why this holiday is so special. Help everyone to see Jesus’ love, grace and kindness throughout this holiday season. Try to have everyone enjoy their favorite holiday traditions throughout Christmas. Amen

Lillian McAnally

High School Senior

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