La Crèche de Noël
La Crèche de Noël. Every Christmas market in France has one. And whether they are put in a place of prominence or tucked away from the main traffic of the event, la Crèche de Noël remains a part of the festivities.
The Santons of the South
A long history of the various figurines or “santons” that make up the entire nativity scene has a unique beginning here in the south. Back in the early 1800’s just north of Marseille, a certain crafter began making tiny clay figures to sell to the local villagers in order to make the santons affordable to everyone. This tradition continues today! At the local Christmas markets you can find a wide array of personages accessible to buy.
Right alongside the normal characters you would assume to find in a nativity scene, the display actually widens here in France. The uniqueness of the French Crèche de Noël can be found in that the entire community is highlighted. The santons are found bringing their gifts and wearing their local dress as they come to the Christ child to worship Him.
Children of all ages enjoy viewing the Crèche de Noël and looking on the scene that has been prepared.
Looking back two thousand years ago, did the characters involved in Christ’s birth look on with wonder? Did they too stand on their toes to see into that manger?
I think they did.
One Starry Night
It’s a steep climb up from the fields in Beit Sahour to the village of Bethlehem. Yet, the shepherds made haste up that hill that star-filled night. They had been invited to a birth and they weren’t going to miss it!
When the men reached that smelly, crowded place where animals had been, these shepherds looked upon the face of baby Jesus. Their wonder didn’t stop with just looking, though. Instead, they began recounting to all who had gathered about the angelic invitation that they had just had!
The most elaborate baby invitation ever!
Emotion Filled the Air
Think of the emotion involved in each one of those characters sitting around that child.
- The out-of-breath shepherds were filled with utter wonder. Here they, men who were society’s outcasts because of their profession, had been invited to a celebration. Only these shepherds had been alerted of this heavenly visitation! Excitement and wonder must have filled the air.
- Those who had helped Mary give birth were in wonder over the unimaginable story of these dirty shepherds. I personally have to question if some of those present were actually part of Joseph and Mary’s family? They also would have had a need to register with the Bethlehem authorities. Could there have been a family caravan that had come to Bethlehem together? If so, they would have been there to help with the birth of this unexpected child. What were they thinking and feeling?
- And then there’s Mary and Joseph. A couple who over these past nine months had endured so much. Think of the scandal and the village voices that were heard in the background of their lives up to this point. How do you logically explain the birth of a child, without having been with your betrothed husband? You can’t. And so the tongues wagged, opinions were formulated, and I am sure thoughts were communicated to this righteous couple.
From the Shepherds Perspective
As we highlight the narrative found in Luke 2, linger with me on the story of the shepherds.
They heard; they went; they saw; they told; and they returned back to their sleepy early morning flocks and worshiped.
The shepherds had a chance to look into that manger. Each one had a chance to look God incarnate in the face.
The wonder. The worship!
They had been the only ones invited to this grand day. And what an invitation they had received! But the invitation was nothing in comparison to looking into the face of the One who would bring salvation to the entire world.
Wonder and Worship.
Lord, may we stand on our toes this year in anticipation of seeing You, not just a baby who has come and the wonder of that decision. But may we also linger on the decision You made to choose the cross and the resurrection for our eternal sakes.
May we linger over the nativity scene in wonder of the baby
and of worship to the King!
