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Preparing to Celebrate the Birth of Our Savior: S’Mores Nativity

By: John Reiter

Posted: December 17, 2021

Category: Daily Devotional

This nativity was a wedding gift and always brings a smile to my face. As someone who has spent many years in camp ministry, I have always appreciated the patience and occasional humor required to make a good s’more. This nativity ornament featuring the s’more ingredients has always served as a great reminder to stop and smile during the holidays.

Luke 1:24-38

After those days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she remained in seclusion. She said, “This is what the Lord has done for me when he looked favorably on me and took away the disgrace I have endured among my people.”

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.

Prayer

Holy God, we thank You for miracles…not just the big ones like what Elizabeth and Mary experienced, but the little ones that happen to us each day. Help us to be awake and aware as we seek Your role in our lives. Throughout Your word, we are reminded to not be afraid. Strengthen us to not live in fear, but to readily answer Your call to love and to serve the world. Amen.