Creche Exhibit & Virtual Pilgrimage
Throughout the years, members of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church have collected creches, or Nativity scenes, from around the world, and presented them in our church each Christmas for people to view. This year, the coronavirus pandemic prevents us from hosting our annual exhibit. Instead, we invite you to reflect on the Incarnation through our virtual Creche Exhibit & Pilgrimage. Each day, we will present a unique creche from around the world and offer a reflection and prayer for you. We hope you feel blessed by this exhibit.
Day 23
As Advent draws to a close, this creche paints a beautiful, yet powerful, picture of the life Jesus – whose birth we celebrate tomorrow. We invite you to look closely at this nativity. Jesus, born in a lowly place, was baptized by the Holy Spirit to dwell among us, bringing us healing and new life. At the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prays for the world as he submits his life to the Father saying: “Not my will, but yours be done”. Walking the “Via Delarosa”, Jesus went to Golgotha where He died for the sins of the whole world. Then……three days later…Jesus conquered sin and death and rose from the dead. As the Gospel of John states, this story has been shared so “you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing, you may have life in His name” (John 20: 31).
Let us pray…
Father, in this season of expectation, we have waited for the Advent, the “arrival” of Christ Jesus, Messiah. As we celebrate Christmas tomorrow, help us to welcome Christ Jesus, Messiah into the bustle of our lives and the hard-to-find moments of solitude. Help us to welcome Christ Jesus, Messiah Into our homes and situations along with friends and families. Help us to welcome Christ Jesus, Messiah Into our hearts, and those often hidden parts of our lives. Beneath the surface of your story is an inescapable fact that You entered into our story. Especially as we are living in these unsettling times of this health pandemic, thank you for becoming flesh and dwelling among us. Thank you for Christ Jesus, Messiah who bestows upon us your grace and love so that we can conquer our fears, our insecurities, and our sins. Thank you, because in Christ Jesus, Messiah, we can have eternal life in His name. Amen.
