I really should remember where it came from as my mother always added that piece to the tail end of her lecture of why I shouldn’t be playing with her beloved nativity set. It was old and either belonged to a family member or my mother had gotten it when she lived in Italy – I don’t know and as a kid I really didn’t care. All I knew was there were these little figurines in fascinating clothing, there were animals and a house I could decorate with things from my dollhouse. I created all kinds of stories as little porcelain Mary sat shot gun in my Barbie corvette, on her way to buy some badly needed new clothes. In fact I would be so lost in thought I wouldn’t hear my mother enter the living room until she began her tirade about how they weren’t toys, they were fragile and from, yeah, that’s about when I would start to ignore her. In my head I would always think “if you don’t want me to play with it then don’t leave them out”. It was strange the other day when my husband said that exact phrase to me as I chased our son’s kitten who had run off with a wise man in his mouth. I had been setting out my collection of nativities, most of which are tiny and I like to tuck in random places around our house. This one set, a student brought back to me from her home in Nepal. It is made with corn husks so very light and perfect for a frisky kitten to grab and hide behind some piece of furniture.
After abandoning my search for corn husk wise man number 3, I resumed unpacking my nativities and soon lost in thought until I heard sound effects and a little voice talking quietly. My son had found one of my sets and along with a Lego airplane and some Transformers was deep in some game of his own. I loved seeing characters so familiar, so revered and ancient being integrated into modern life. Despite significant differences in language and backgrounds Joseph and Bumblebee seemed to work well together fighting a bad guy and I loved that my son, like myself and so many other kids, find these figurines irresistible. As I watched him I was reminded of studies on the role of play in deepening trust. Studies have found kids who play with each other, trust each other and I think the same is true in our relationship with God. If we learn at a young age to play with God, to learn to trust God with the silly little things in our lives than we will be more capable of trusting God with the big, intimidating things. I cringed a bit as I watched my son play with a rather fragile nativity while hearing our cat under the couch batting around that one poor wise man and I reminded myself these objects represent people whose trust of God changed not only their lives but changed the world. Like our faith these nativities shouldn’t be placed only to be seen and kept in pristine condition. Instead they should be played with, their various dings and chips recording stories of why we believe and why we have faith and why we find the Christmas story so beautiful.
~ Scenes from Last Sunday ~
Everyone did a fantastic job Sunday. Thank you for all your hard work!
~ Upcoming Events ~
Sunday, December 23
Team 4 Acolyting
Sunday School
Please note there is no Family Service
Join Antonio for snacks, games and a nativity craft
10 am | Sunday School Classrooms
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December 24
Family Service
4:30 pm
We will again be welcoming our favorite guest Mr. Hubert Humphrey
Christmas Eve Service
9 pm
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December 30
Team 5 Acolyting
Please note there will be no Sunday School December 30
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Christmas Break Activities
Don’t sit home bored all week, join us!
Wednesday, January 2
Getty Museum
Art of Three Faiths: a Torah, a Bible, and a Qur’an
Thursday, January 3
Rock Climbing/ Family Night
4 pm | Hangar 19
The first Thursday of the month is Family Night: $5 day passes for any kids 10 and under. Grab your mom and dad and come for a climb!
Friday, January 4
Museum of Illusion
Tickets are $25, children between 6-12 years old are $10 and free admission for children 5 years old and under.
To RSVP or for more information, please contact Heather
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January 6
Team 1 Acolyting
Family Worship
10 am | Chapel
Sunday School
10:30 am | Sunday School Classrooms
Youth Group
After church let’s head to Little Tokyo
for sushi at Kura Revolving Sushi Bar
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January 13
Team 2 Acolyting
Family Worship
10 am | Chapel
Sunday School
10:30 am | Sunday School Classrooms
Please feel free to contact Heather if you have questions.
