Merry Christmas

My mother-in-law collects nativity scenes. We usually visit her on Christmas afternoon with as much of the family as can be there. There is always a sign on the refrigerator: There are 26 (I think that is how many there were last year) nativity scenes around the house. Can you find them all?

At which point all the kids and some of the adults start to scramble to see who can find them all first. It is lots of fun and a good distraction while we wait for Christmas dinner to be served.

These are the nativities on display at my house this year.

My favorite version of the Christmas story is the one told by Linus on the Charlie Brown Christmas show. Linus’ King James version scripture reading from Luke 2: 8-14, read:

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this [shall be] a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.

Merry Christmas.