Martha & Greg

When The Shepherds Were Almost Late To The Manger

Posted by Martha & Greg Singleton , Friday, November 2, 2007 5:44 AM

It's November already! It seems like we just put all the holiday decorations back in their place, and now it's time to drag them out again. At the Singletons' house, we do the holidays HUGE! We've been accused of Griswold-like enthusiasm when we decorate and celebrate the holidays, but we persevere despite the ridicule. Let the games begin.

We stumbled upon a family holiday tradition not long after we were blessed with kids in our home. Having purchased a beautiful ceramic nativity scene soon after we married, we intended that this would be the centerpiece of our Christmas decorations for the rest of our lives. It held a place of prominence on the living room coffee table. We weren't thinking like parents then. Not long after Annie began to toddle around the house, during the 1981 holiday season, her curious little hands were reaching out for the figures in the manger. We reasoned that "no-no" was an inappropriate connotation to associate with Baby Jesus, so we sought a solution. Thank God for Winn's. It was the venerable five-and-dime that had graced the South Texas area for generations, and, inside, they offered a wide assortment of cheap plastic nativity scenes that begged to be handled by kids. We bought a particularly inexpensive set, garishly painted before lead-based contents were a consideration. It took over the place of honor and the beautiful set was moved up to the mantel. Have at it, Annie!

After Matt made made his appearance in our home, we realized there was a way that we could include the nativity scene in our family's holiday worship. Each evening, before we put them to bed, the kids took the plastic figures and moved them along on a journey from their bedrooms to the living room. We read a portion of the Christmas story every night, until Christmas morning came, when all the participants at the nativity gathered at the manger. Baby Jesus, our Gift from God was wrapped in a beautiful package, and we would unwrap Him and place him in the stable. The whole family would sing carols and songs of worship and join together in prayers of thanksgiving, and it developed into a significant part of our holidays, even after the kids were grown. Beginning in their elementary school years, we began to give Annie and Matt responsibility for preparing part of that special family worship. And by the time they reached high school age, they began to lead the devotional times.

As beautiful and meaningful as this tradition was to our family, we would be remiss if we failed to admit that it didn't always go off without a hitch. One year, the shepherds almost didn't make it to the manger. Matt was about six, and, in his dedication to nightly find a new place for the shepherds to rest on their journey, they got lost. Night after night, as we prepared for the devotional time, Matt would search everywhere, to no avail. He fretted about the shepherds well-being and wondered aloud how we could have a nativity scene without them. Finally, there was a Christmas miracle at our house. On Christmas morning, as we settled down around the coffee table for a time of communion, Matt's eyes grew wide, and he jumped to his feet and ran toward the hallway. Hallelujah, the shepherds had arrived! Matt had decided at one point during the holiday season, that the heater closet was a great place for shepherds to spend the night, but it was such a safe hiding place that he forgot where he had put them. When he remembered their location, lo, there was great rejoicing.

What traditions have you had in your home? We'd like to know all the significant family times that you've established through the years during Thanksgiving and Christmas. You can share it here on the "comments" or send us an e-mail. Have a blessed holiday season!