Scene of The Savior

This is a Nativity set my mother gave me many years ago. It was in my home growing up so it's pretty old. It's one of the few things I have of my mother's, besides her bible which is one of my treasured possessions. My mom kept it safe, she packed it, ever so carefully, away each year for the next Christmas season. I however move a lot and packing can be a bit lax.

If you look at it quickly or from a distance it looks just like it did when she gave it to me.

However, if you get a closer look you will see, it is not.

My daughter came over the other night and glanced at my proud display on the counter and began to laugh as she asked why my nativity people were missing body parts. I'm sure normal people would have retired this set but I feel it gives them more character.

To make matters worse my poor shepherd boy lost his head at the last family get together. My grandson, who was eating at the scene of the crime announced, "Nana, the little boys head just rolled off his body."
Ahhhh another memory for the next family gathering.
This of course got me thinking Gems about how we come to the scene of the Savior.
I don't know about you but I have definitely arrived feeling like my head just rolled off my body.
There are times I arrive feeling broken or less than. Feeling like I'm not good enough or worse  yet not whole as a person.   Hoping He, or others won't notice what's obviously missing from my life.

But isn't that one of the most beautiful things about our Lord, that He accepts us just where we are yet loves us enough not to leave us in that condition.

Matthew 11:²⁸ “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls". 
When was the last time you felt weary and burdened?

Many times our wounds aren't so obvious, like missing a head, sometimes they are soul wounds. We have become really creative in appearing whole. My little shepherd boy there now has his head glued on but if you look closely you will see the crack line around his neck.
Sometimes Gems you need to take the time to look or listen to the people around you to hear if they are in pain.

Psalm 34:18 "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."

Look at my angel, she's missing an entire arm! She used to be carrying a sword.  And the wise men, well I don't know when they lost their hands. Aren't they supposed to be carrying frankincense and myrrh?  

Are there people we encounter that have a title or a position that carries a certain expectation with it? Do we allow them to be wounded? Do we point out there short comings in the role that's expected of them or do they feel safe to lay down their sword for a moment and embrace the love of the Savior?

Isaiah 57:15 The high and lofty one lives in eternity, the Holy One-says this: "I live in the high and holy place with those whose spirits are contrite and humble.  I restore the crushed spirit of the humble and revive the courage of those with repentant hearts."

53 

"He had no form or majesty that we should look at Him, nor beauty that we should desire Him. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrow, acquainted with grief, One from whom people hide their faces. He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our pains. Yet we esteemed Him stricken, struck by God, and afflicted." Isaiah

Who are they talking about here?

Is this the summarizing of my lowly shepherd with his missing appendages?

Could this possibly be the description of the Holy One of Israel, the sweet baby Jesus laying in the manger?

Jesus knows every feeling you have ever felt or ever will feel. 

Jesus knew temptation: “He was in the desert forty days, being tempted by Satan” (Mark 1:13).

Jesus knew poverty: “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head” (Matthew 8:20).

Jesus knew frustration: “He scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables.… ‘Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father’s house into a market!’” (John 2:15-16).

Jesus knew weariness: “Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well” (John 4:6).

Jesus knew disappointment: “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem…how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks,…but you were not willing” (Luke 13:34).

Jesus knew rejection: “From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him” (John 6:66).

Jesus knew sorrow: “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death” (Matthew 26:38).

Jesus knew ridicule: “Again and again they struck him…and spit on him. Falling on their knees, they paid [mocking] homage to him” (Mark 15:19).

Jesus knew loneliness: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46).

He knew everything we would experience and He came on the scene anyway...…

Gems let's make a point of allowing each other to come to the scene of the Savior in whatever condition we are in. Maybe even give a helping hand, pun intended.
What a gift it would be if when Jesus comes back you are carrying someone to The Scene.