These Manger Reimagined Family Advent Week 5 Devotional posts and Advent Discussion questions are written by the Down the Hobbit Hole Blog team in November & December 2020. This Advent week one post contains affiliate links, you can find out more on our policies page or in the disclaimer at the bottom of the blog.
Why Reimagine the Manger?:
When we read the story of Mary and Joseph in the Bible, we typically read it through our shiny Christmas lens with our pretty nativity sets in mind. But after doing some historical and cultural reading, we can see that our interpretation of what happened at the manger is just a shiny reflection of some pieces of the event. There is so much potential for advent discussion this year as thing seem in a constant state of flux. So during these five weeks, we’re going to dive into each of the characters and their settings a little more.
This is part four of our Advent series. To find out more about what Advent is and catch up with this series, you can find week one here, week two here, week three here, and week four here.
Advent Week Four: Reflection on the Birth of Jesus
The Unexpected Journey of Jesus
Following the journey of Jesus to the manger and the cross is especially unique when you look at it through cultural context. The people of God had a lot of expectations for the coming Savior, they always had, and we still do. But Jesus defies expectations in unexpected, loving, and mysterious ways.
-Mary DID know. And she poetically expressed the weight of what this baby meant in an epic and prophetic song.
-Joseph boldly sought loving justice, and then protection, for his family.
-The pagan leaders sought Him more than the religious ones. Wise Men still seek Him, indeed. Harod believed he was appointed by God and convinced the religious and political leaders of the day that infantcide was necessary.
-The stable was part of a house bustling with love (and probably some awkward family interactions).
-Jesus was wrapped and laid in a lowly manger and not a palace. Probably wrapped in beautiful, hand made, clothes- just like a sacrificial lamb would be.
-The stars and angles led both the wealthy and the poor, the socially acceptable and the unaccepted, the religious and the unreligious to worship and adore the newborn King.
-The night would not have been a silent night, although it would have been one filled with adoration and love.
-The birth of Jesus was prophesied in the Old Testament and his birth foreshadowed his life, ministry and death.
Reimagining the Manger
In a year that’s revealed and leveled so much, it’s been surprisingly reassuring to me to reimagine the nativity scene. One that now embodies more love. And in researching the Manger and the people involved, we see the hallmarks of love. Faith, hope, joy, peace, but also that this love embodies long suffering, sorrow, grief and even horror. A real, authentic, turn-the-world-upside, kind of love. Not one expected, maybe not one hoped for, and definitely not one that’s easily explained or understood.
A love that is available to us all. A love worth living for. A love worth celebrating. A love worth sharing. An enveloping, life-altering love.
Bible Passages to Read Together for Advent Week Five:
-Isaiah 53
-Luke 2
-Matthew 1-2
Advent Discussion Questions for Week 5:
- When you think of Baby Jesus, what is your first thought? How many of these thoughts come from the Bible and which ones have been added by culture/imagination?
- What is your favorite telling of the nativity story and why?
- When you think of “Love like Jesus,” who in you life best has represented or shown examples of this love?
- What is your favorite song or hymn about the love of God/Jesus?
- What are some ways that you and your friends/family can spread the love of Jesus this season?
Prayer for Advent Week 5:
Adapted from “Christmastide” poems by Christina Rossetti
Dear God
Love came down at Christmas,
Love all lovely, Love Divine;
Love was born at Christmas,
Love Incarnate, Love Divine;
We worship Jesus
Now on Christmas day,
The baby in the manger,
You have shown us the Way.
May we internalize and reflect that love.
Amen
Advent Resources:
Resources we used for this Post:
–Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes: By Kenneth Bailey
-Sarah Bessey’s blog on the Joy of Being Wrong at Christmas
–The One Year Book of Christian History by E. Michael and Sharon Rusten
**For more of this series: Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, and Week 4**
Advent Resources:
-Our post from last year with music and movie resources for week 2!
– Unwrapping the Greatest Gift or the Calendar version by Ann Voskamp.
– Watch for the Light: A collection of Advent readings.
– Keeping Christmas: 25 Advent Reflections on A Christmas Carol.
– A Better Than Anything Christmas: Includes journaling space and short entries for younger kids.
You Might Be Interested in These Other Posts:
–Hope is Coming! Our movie and music Advent devotionals from last year.
–25+ Christmas Movies to Stream & Where to Stream Them
-Our Family Christmas Quiz & Game Bundle for $1.50.
-Our Favorite New Christmas Books and Read Alouds-10 Socially Distant Family, Holiday, Activities!
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