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Ruth Lemke

12/5/2020

 
Luke 2:4-14
..."and this will be the sign to you: You will find a babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger."

A very long time ago I went on a college-sponsored trip to Israel and saw all the usual things tourists see in The Holy Land. Since I was a student, I didn't have a lot of money to buy souvenirs but when we were in Bethlehem, I did get a set of small nativity figurines carved from olive wood. These figures are roughly-crafted and are crudely made. Some of their eyes are a little crooked and they wobble a bit, but I can't part with them because they were a sentimental purchase. All these years my nativity figures have never had a stable.

When Marty and I first met and we were putting up his Christmas decorations, he pulled out a little stable that a family friend had crafted for him from a walnut tree that had grown in our yard. The stable was quite rough, but cleverly crafted. There were no figures or animals to go with it though. I took a deep breath when I saw Marty's stable because I could tell that my nativity figures would fit quite perfectly with it.

I own a beautiful sparkly jeweled ceramic nativity set, but most years it remains in its box.  The little rough walnut stable with the crudely crafted olive wood figures is just too sentimental. The Christmas story is all about imperfect persons in a less than desirable setting, but it, like my little nativity, is just perfect.

Dear Father,
During this Christmas season may we see your perfection in our imperfection. 
Thank you for our own very beautiful stories that show your work in our lives.

Amen

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    To the Writers

    of this devotional: 
    thank you for sharing 
    the stories from 
    your Advent and 
    Christmas journey.

    Your  courage 
    is a blessing 
    to others 
    and we pray you 
    will be blessed 
    by this as well.

    With gratitude,
    Pastor Nathan Mugaas and Intern Pastor Jeremy Hallquist

    Categories

    All
    Barbara Burandt
    Bob Burtness
    Cedric And Marlys Olson
    Conni Natwick
    Ellie Hallquist
    Jean Cook
    Jeremy Hallquist
    Jim Hecker
    John Natwick
    Karen Maher
    Kari Christianson
    Kari Osmek
    Linda Nielsen
    Lisa Sampson
    Lorie Schulstad-Werk
    Milo Christianson
    Myron Grams
    Pastor Nathan Mugaas
    Paula Donnelly
    Ron Stricker
    Ruth Lemke
    Sarah Chur
    Vicki Simpson

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  • Welcome
    • I'm New Here >
      • What we Believe
      • Our Story
    • Worship Times & Locations
    • ERLC Staff
    • LGBTQ+ Affirming >
      • Shower of Stoles Project
  • Worship
    • Sermons and Bulletins >
      • Binge the Bible
    • Baptism
    • Funerals
    • Podcasts
  • Give
  • LIFE Groups
  • Ministries
    • Children, Youth, and Family Ministry >
      • Confirmation High School Schedule
    • Adult Ministries
    • Caring Faith
    • Music Ministries
    • Mission Endowment Fund
  • Updates
    • ERLC Council >
      • Council Minutes and Annual Reports
    • ERLC Current Magazine
    • Calendar
    • Call Committee
    • Building Project Updates
    • Capital Appeal
  • Events
  • Contact Us
    • Prayer Requests
    • ERLC Staff
    • Forms >
      • Room Use Form
    • Elk River Lutheran "Powered By Love" Merchandise
    • Severe Weather Policy