Created to Worship

During a Christmas break in college, I worked in a collectibles shop. I didn’t last long. See, I’m what some might consider clumsy. Think Lucy Ricardo knocking over porcelain figurines, but without the laugh track. Put Steve Urkel in charge of hand-blown glass ornaments repeating the “Did I do that?” punchline when they fall to the floor. Bull in a china shop would be appropriate here—Kelly in Collectible Cottage.

Since my short career in fragile wares occurred during the Christmas season, I became familiar with the many varieties of nativities. The Lenox set, with its pure white finish and gilded edges. scared me the most. It looked holy, so I certainly didn’t want to break it. I didn’t mind handling the Roman Fontanini set since it was made of a sturdy wood-and-polymer combination. The pastel Precious Moments with the big eyes and soft lines was my favorite at the time. It was also one of the more fragile, so I didn’t dare buy one.

Every nativity came with the big three: Joseph, Mary, and Baby Jesus. Larger sets added shepherds, wise men, and an angel. The most elaborate came with an assortment of animals—camels for the wise men, sheep for the shepherds, a donkey for Mary and Joseph, and maybe a few barn animals to set the mood.

When setting up a nativity, we tend to turn everyone toward Jesus. Mary and Joseph look down from above the manger. The shepherds kneel nearby. The wise men hold gifts for the Christ child. Even the animals are angled inward, uncharacteristically peaceful in a room full of people.

Were Animals Present at the Birth of Jesus?

If you look for evidence of animals at the birth of Jesus in the Bible, you infer their presence. We assume Mary and Joseph took a donkey on their journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem (Luke 2:1–5). Shepherds take their sheep along wherever they go, so when the angels called to them in the field, the sheep probably followed them (Luke 2:8–16). Mary laid Jesus in a manger, which is a feeding trough for animals. This leads us to believe animals were around somewhere (Luke 2:6–7).

Let’s imagine the scene, a petting zoo of sorts surrounding the newborn babe. Maybe the animals are quiet, totally in awe of God wrapped in flesh. Or perhaps they bray and baa loudly, singing praises to the king of the world. Don’t miss this intimate moment when the created lock eyes with their creator. Their wet noses fill with the scent of holy. Maybe they dare to brush against the very hands that formed them.

All of Creation Points to God

Since God separated dark and light on the very first day, creation points back to God. We humans tend to think we own the copyright to praise and worship, but all of nature tells of his glory. Consider Psalm 19:1–4 (NIV):

The heavens declare the glory of God;

the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

Day after day they pour forth speech;

night after night they reveal knowledge.

They have no speech, they use no words;

no sound is heard from them.

Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,

their words to the ends of the world.

David uses personification in this psalm, giving human characteristics to nature. The heavens declare, the skies proclaim. Days speak, and nights teach. What if this isn’t just a literary feature in ancient poetry? What if the God of creation actually gave nature the ability to do what humans think only they are capable of doing?

Colossians 1:15–16 explains this relationship between Jesus Christ and his creation: “We look at this Son and see the God who cannot be seen. We look at this Son and see God’s original purpose in everything created. For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible, rank after rank after rank of angels—everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him” (MSG).

Visit the original nativity with me again, keeping creation’s purpose in mind.

See the donkey standing reverently outside the stable entrance, leaning in to catch a glimpse of the Messiah. He carried this king into Bethlehem for his birth to fulfill prophecy (Micah 5:2). Thirty-three years later, another donkey will carry the king into Jerusalem toward his death to fulfill yet another prophecy (Zechariah 9:9).

A single lamb shivers near his shepherd’s side. The Father looks down from heaven, sorrow beginning to form in his heart as he sees the two of them—innocent and clean. Both will shed their blood for the sins of man.

The other animals join the ranks of angels singing praises to the Messiah. Their voices lift to the heavens, each finding their purpose in the baby boy.

In your own manger scene, you’re invited to turn toward Jesus too. The sun, angels, and animals aren’t the only creations made to glorify God. Read Colossians 1:16 again, and this time put your own name in the blank. “For _______ got started in him and finds [her] purpose in him.” That’s you, created by him, for him. Let this thought take you to a new level of worship this Christmas season.

Kelly Smith is a small town girl who married a small town man. They have three children. In the quiet minutes of her day, you will find her at the keyboard or curled up with a book–always with coffee. Kelly believes we are created for community and loves to find ways to connect with other women who are walking in the shadow of the cross. She blogs at mrsdisciple.com.

Photograph © Daniel Sandvik, used with permission