angathome

If you are like me and have neglected to get started on your 12 days of nativity knock and run, here is my “deliver it all at once” version with introductory poem and readings for a 10 piece nativity set. (10 days until Christmas if I deliver it today!)

If you have no idea what I am talking about, this is a nice outreach idea for neighbours or friends at Christmas time. You can either deliver one piece of the nativity each day (with their corresponding readings) or all at once, to be opened one per day. If you live close to the recipient I think the every day approach is more fun, especially for the children as they take turns being the stealthy deliverer who cannot be seen delivering the daily piece. This year for us however, one delivery it will be as we have a lot on and I’m sure to miss a day or 2 otherwise. 

I have included the instructions for both versions in poem form and the readings we are using this year. Feel free to print them out and tweak it to fit the set you have. Have fun introducing someone to the good news of Jesus birth.

All at once version:

Jesus came to earth to show the world God’s love

Amazing grace and forgiveness, sent from heaven above

At your door this gift you’ve found, unwrap it one per day

It will tell the Christmas story, in a special way

To remind you of the gift of God, as a baby He was born

Jesus Christ, God on earth, in a stable all forlorn

The date will tell you which to unwrap and set upon display

Isn’t it amazing; we can receive God’s love today!

One per day version:

Jesus came to earth to show the world God’s love

Amazing grace and forgiveness, sent from heaven above

At your door a gift you’ll find, unwrap it every day

It will tell the Christmas story, in a special way

To remind you of the gift of God, as a baby He was born

Jesus Christ, God on earth, in a stable all forlorn

Leave the basket out each night for us to fill for you

Don’t try to peek or find us out, it will spoil it if you do!

Mary

And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, (Luke 1:30-32, ESV)

Mary was a young girl who trusted God and was willing to obey Him. She was given the privilege of mothering Jesus, the Son of God.

Joseph

But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:20-21, ESV)

Joseph was a man of character. God entrusted him to raise His Son.

Donkey

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. (Luke 2:4-5, ESV)

Mary may have ridden a donkey from Nazareth to Bethlehem. God was watching over her and fulfilling His divine plan.

Cow

And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. (Luke 2:6-7, ESV)

Fulfilling the prophecies, God’s son began His life in a stable because He loved us so much.

Baby Jesus

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. (John 3:16-17, ESV)

Jesus left heaven to be born on earth as a baby. He grew into a man, died for our sin and rose as our Saviour.

Angel

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 among those with whom he is pleased!” (Luke 2:13-14, ESV)

An angel gave Mary the wonderful news that she was to bear God’s Son. Throughout the Christmas story angels share joyous news and praise God for His wondrous salvation gift.

Shepherd & sheep

And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. (Luke 2:16-17, ESV)

God shared the miracle of His Son’s birth first with humble shepherds in the fields, rather than the important people of the time. The good news is for everyone.

King/wise man

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” (Matthew 2:1-2, ESV)

The wise men came to worship the newborn king. They bough Him gifts because they recognized who He really was – King of Kings and Lord of Lords

King/wise man

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30, ESV)

The wise men probably travelled on camels as they carried their loads of precious gifts and belongings. We come to Jesus loaded down with burdens but He promises to carry our burdens and give us the rest we need if we will trust in Him.

King/wise man

knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. (1 Peter 1:18-19, ESV)

The wise men bought precious gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, but the gift of forgiveness for our sin is the most precious of all. Jesus came to purchase our freedom from sin. He sacrificed Himself in our place so we can know God and live in peace and joy with Him forever.

Filed under: Celebrations, events & festivals (Christmas, birthdays etc.) | Tagged: 12 days of nativity, advent, Christian Christmas, Christmas traditions, free printable, knock and run nativity, neighbour gift, poem, scripture readings |