Now that the Advent and “Shopping” Season is over let’s fix our eyes and hearts on Jesus. The REAL Season of Christmas begins today, ending on The Epiphany which is Jan 6th. I know many people, not in more liturgical settings of Christian worship, may not keep this in mind.
Our Americanized Commercialized Christmas definitely begins before Thanksgiving with a focus on gifts, giving and shopping and not too much on Advent (means: coming) which is a preparation season on the Church Calendar. In most American Minds when the gifts are unwrapped Christmas is over. Really, Dec. 26th is just the second day of Christmas.
LookUpDetroit thought it might be worthwhile to use this real Christmas Season to checkout the Metro Manger Scene around Detroit and focus on the Reason for the Season – Jesus Christ. We invite pictures of Manger Scenes in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb to combine with some devotional and informational about that little newborn .
Together let’s invite Jesus into some “Public Space” online.
Manger Scene at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Macomb, MI
Nahum Tate(1652-1715), ca. 1700
While shepherds watched their flocks by night,
All seated on the ground,
The angel of the Lord came down,
And glory shone around.
“Fear not,” said he, for mighty dread
Had seized their troubled mind,
“Glad tidings of great joy I bring
To you and all mankind.”
“To you, in David’s town this day,
Is born of David’s line
The Savior who is Christ the Lord,
And this shall be the sign:
The heavenly Babe you there shall find
To human view displayed,
All meanly wrapped in swathing bands,
And in a manger laid.
” Thus spake the seraph, and forthwith
Appeared a shining throng
Of angels praising God and thus
Addressed their joyful song:
“All glory be to God on high
And on the earth be peace,
Goodwill henceforth from heaven to men
Begin and never cease.”
