One of my favorite nativities is the one I found in Africa when I was there on a mission trip.

I love the animals present here.  They are not the typical animals that we associate with the nativity.  However, they would be typical in Africa….the cow, giraffe, rhinoceros, elephant, and hippopotamus.  Can you imagine those enormous animals gathered around the manger and the tiny baby Jesus?  Wow, an amazing sight!

And of course, my mind goes to that Christmas song “I want a hippopotamus for Christmas”.  Such a fun song!  (However, the one about my two front teeth is a whole lot easier to sing).  I still want to give it a try. I’ll google it with the grandkids and we’ll sing it together.  The plural is especially challenging – hippopotamuses!  Makes me laugh just to think about it.

Then in this nativity there is baby Jesus lying on a banana leaf, and covered with another one.  So real and natural!  Those banana leaves are so plentiful there and quite large.  A big part of what I am trying to express here is the opportunity to look at the nativity with fresh eyes.  It helps us open up to Jesus being born again in our hearts when it is not quite so familiar.  I have always said that if I wanted to help someone grow spiritually I would take them by the hand and lead them to a different part of the world.  Together we see with new eyes and new perspective.

Perhaps the best part of this nativity are the wise men and their gifts.  One carries kindling for a fire to keep warm and to cook food.  The other two have laid before the baby a fish which they have just caught.  Simple gifts, but most likely what they had to give and what they felt baby Jesus and his family would most need.  I need to be reminded about the simple gifts of life, so easily taken for granted and overlooked in our abundant culture.

I love this picture!  Those beautiful, hungry, curious, humble, hopeful children watching me handing out mosquito nets to help save their lives.  Simple.  Powerful!  I LOVE these children! I thank God for the opportunity to have been beside them.

Questions to ponder….

What are the simple things for which you are grateful?

When have you been in a place which allowed you to see with fresh eyes?

How might you give a simple gift this Christmas?

nk