Meet the Nativity

Description

Meet the Nativity is a time-travelling romantic comedy in which 21st and 1st century Christmases magically collide.

Episode 1 introduces our hero: Will. He is our everyman. He’s desperate to belong, but he can never gain the acceptance into a loving community that he craves. His charms fall short and his efforts are wasted.

For Will, the change comes when he encounters the nativity. Though he is the most ridiculous outsider he is instantly welcomed in. Though he has nothing, he is given everything. In fact, because he has nothing, his empty hands are the perfect resting place for Jesus.

Meet the Nativity is based on an old apocryphal tale — that of the shepherd who shows up to the nativity gift-less. He feels his lack keenly. He is outshone by the opulent presents of the wise men. Dejected, he is about to leave when he notices that there’s a problem. Joseph has his arms full of gold and frankincense. The third wise man wants to give Mary the myrrh, but her hands are full with her precious firstborn. She needs to offload the baby. Who is fit to receive Jesus? Wonderfully, she moves towards the empty-handed outsider. Precisely because he is empty, he is filled. With nothing to bring he instead receives Christ, the true Christmas gift.

Isaiah 9:6 says “To us a child is born, to us a son is given.” This present is offered to “a people walking in darkness” (Isaiah 9:2). To those who have nothing — and who know that they have nothing — Christ becomes their everything.

You may feel that you don’t belong, whether in earthly families or in God’s family. Christmas is God’s welcome. God the Son became God our brother to bring us home. We bring nothing to the table. Our offerings are as ridiculous as a mince pie wrapper. Worse, we bring sin and selfishness. But that’s why he came. And in return he offers himself.

This Christmas bring your emptiness and receive God’s fullness. Here is a family where anyone can belong.

Possible Discussion Questions

• Have you ever felt like an 'outsider?'
• What does it mean to be a part of God's family?

Credits

Produced by Speak Life

Licence Agreement

Ministry use licence

By purchasing this video, you are purchasing a license to use and show this video as part of your ministry in ONE church.

You are granted permission to use the video in:

1) Offline services, school assemblies or lessons, groups or at events (including youth, kids and midweek groups and events)

2) Online services or assemblies that are streamed or pre-recorded. (For online services, the content video you have purchased should be part of a complete church service which must be at least 20 minutes long.)

3) Online small groups meeting over Zoom or a similar video call platforms.