Thinking about the Knitted Nativity

This year around the country people have taken in Mary and Joseph for the night. I am of course talking about “Posada” – the tradition where figures of Mary and Joseph move from house across the parish until they join us for our Christmas celebrations in church.

However, while some figures are a little more traditional, made of ceramic or carved from wood, here in North Wearside they are a little softer. Like many parishes, our figures are knitted, ideal for young children to handle and set up beneath their Christmas Tree at home. Looking at one of our knitted nativity sets, lovingly crafted by members of the congregation, I began to think about God and His presence in our lives, and three things struck me in particular….

First of all, the wool gathered up in our nativity figures represents quite a long strand. Unravelled the yarn would go out of the door of Holy Trinity, down the hill, over the Queen Alexandra bridge and may just cross over the River Wear.

Something so long, being transformed into our figures of the Holy Family, Shepherds and Kings reminded me of God revealing himself to the Israelites.

There is a long thread of God’s love that runs through the Bible, from Adam, Abraham and Jacob, Moses, Elijah, Ruth, David and Solomon, through to Zechariah, Elizabeth, Mary and Joseph to Jesus. An endless story of God’s presence in lives throughout history, a thread that is still part of our lives today.

The second thing I noticed about our Nativity set was how they are made from everyday materials. The wool, stuffing, cardboard and thread are crafted together to tell the story of God being with us using simple materials that anyone can the access. It’s not “look but don’t touch” but more an invitation to pick up the figures and explore. The greatest story ever told, presented by things that are everyday and ordinary.

This reminded me of the way in which God is there for everyone, wherever they are and faith holds out an invitation to everyone to explore – children and young people too.

During the last week of term I listened to students at school talk about why they selected their favourite carol for the end of term Eucharist. I was deeply moved by their reflections…

“Jesus was born in an ordinary stable…he is there for ordinary people like us today.” (Away in a Manger)

“The Kings followed the star to find Jesus…that reminds us that we can still find Jesus today.” (We Three Kings)

The third thing that struck me was the time spent, care taken and love poured into each figure. We had three sets in all, criss-crossing what is a the largest Anglican parish in Sunderland. The Generosity of our knitters reminded me of the generosity of God…and the gift he gave us all…

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life”
(John 3:16).

So, one simple knitted nativity set became a reminder of
History – the long thread that connects us from the beginning, to Jesus and to God’s love for us today.
Inclusivity – God’s love, revealed in the birth of Christ is for everyone, from the youngest to the oldest.
Generosity – two thousand years ago God took the fragile form of a human baby to live and grow among us.

The Christ child would teach us a different way to be, wipe away our sins on the cross, giving his life for our Salvation.

His presence is still with us today, the Holy Spirit, comforting us, guiding us, and encouraging us as we criss-cross on our journey through life today.