Normally I don’t pay too much attention to nativity scenes. Growing up a good Catholic, I was surrounded by these classic, made in China figurines and have grown a bit desensitized to the meaning behind them.
Yet, this year the scene has caught my attention more than once and caused me to stop what I’m doing just to look.
I couldn’t figure out why I continue to be captivated by this scene, and the reason finally hit me.
I know we’re all busy, but working full-time with a 10-month-old home with me full-time has taken busy to the next level. My typical day looks like waking up early, diaper change, feed baby, play with baby, log into work, respond to emails, put baby down for a nap, crank out work. Respond to text messages, check emails, think about dinner, meal plans for the work week, meals for baby, refocus on work. Baby is up. Change baby and feed baby. Play with baby and try not to be distracted with text, calls, and emails from work or personal life. Clean this. Move that. Add this to the grocery list. Forgot this. Add it to the to-do list. Refocus. Play with baby. Feed baby. Put baby down for a second nap. Crank out work. Baby is up. Feed, play, work, clean, play, feed. Bedtime. More work. To do’s. Catch up. Cook, clean, try to fall asleep. Rinse and repeat.
In my days filled with chaos, and in a world filled with social media and advertising that knows exactly how to get your attention, what keeps catching my eye about the nativity scene is this: focus.
Mary, Joseph, the Magi, shepherds, angels, and the animals are all focused on one thing. The scene is quiet. The scene is peaceful. They just have one thing to look at. One thing grabbing their attention.
I feel like if this were a modern day nativity scene, Mary would be trying to look pretty without actually trying to look pretty because #nofilter as Joseph would be getting selfies with Jesus and Mary #firstkid #itsaboy The Magi would be on the US Stock Market app buying up frankincense, gold, and myrrh, and the shepherds would be clocking in some OT #holidaypay.
Aside from the animals and the angels, I’m not sure anyone would remain to be still or focused on the child.
Wishing you and yours a season full of focus, a season devoted and dedicated to THE Child.
Katie's Corner 