Today I will set up our creche.
Years ago we saw a nativity set that I fell in love with, full of village buildings, props of different kinds, and an array of people playing out their roles in the story of Christmas night.
It was not very expensive, and it became ours. Through the years there has been some breakage, but it still lights our Christmas with inspiration to think on the central reason we celebrate Christmas: the coming of Jesus.
What Is A Creche?
This is all a creche is: a set of figures to re-enact the important elements of the story of our Saviors birth.
In France, this traditional Christmas tableau is more important than the Christmas tree. The word “creche” comes from their language, and means “feeding trough” or crib.
“This Is Not A Toy”
Part of the reason some of my figurines are broken is due to the mistake I made early on of allowing the nativity set to be played with. I think it is almost too much of a temptation for little ones, so my advice now is to have a second, indestructible, Nativity Play Set.
It makes me think of how we tend to handle the entire Christmas celebration.
Everything is looked at as fun, entertainment, festivities and merriment. With the word “naughty” thrown out with a wink.
But Christmas is not a toyland story, it doesn’t forget people’s struggle with oppression and selfishness. It is a look at a miraculous event that entered daily lives for an eternal peace and joy.
That is what my creche reminds me, as I set up the buildings, install their lighting, bring out each figure -arranged to tell their stories of what they may have been doing in an ordinary day: Jesus came in the fullness of time, to grow up and do the most serious business of man’s history.
He came to save us from the misery of sin and death.
That  message is what makes our holiday one of such power to touch people’s lives and hearts.  It is such good news, it lifts the heart of those who believe… or even hope.
Scripture
Luke 2:
15 When the angels went away from them to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go, then, to Bethlehem to see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger.
Matthew 1:21
“You shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins!â€
Carols
Two French carols:
Bring A Torch, Jeanette, Isabella
The First Noel
