Introducing the Advent / Christmas devotional

The theme for this year’s devotional is the well-known and loved tradition, sometimes called a nativity set, manger scene, or crèche. St. Francis of Assisi introduced the first crèche in 1223, in an attempt to bring the focus of Christmas back to the birth of Christ and away from the material, gift-giving customs of his time.

This devotional has been prepared especially for your use during the seasons of Advent and Christmas. Each day during Advent (starting November 27), a reflection, written by a member or friend of St. Paul’s UMC, will speak of the Nativity of Jesus through reflections on the people, animals, and objects present in the Nativity sets we know and love.

Starting on Christmas Day and continuing through the Twelve Days of Christmas (December 25—January 5) and on the Day of Epiphany (January 6), Pastor Charles has chosen music from Charles Wesley, "Hymns for the Nativity of Our Lord" (London: Strahan, 1745). These are presented to remind us that God’s presence amongst us doesn’t end with the unwrapping of the last present on Christmas Day.

These devotional entries will be available daily online on this blog and on our Facebook page, @boulderstpauls. 

In the days and weeks to come, take a moment from your day and consider: “How does the Nativity speak to me today?”