The city I live in is recovering from a series of earthquakes that began three years ago. It’s a long slow grind. Earthquakes damage a city’s infrastructure, such as roads, and the sewers and water pipes that are mostly hidden deep below the road surface. Christchurch post-earthquakes has been riddled with orange road cones to highlight damage and repairs in progress. In June last year there were 100,000 road cones in Christchurch, worth more than $3 million. A day doesn’t go by without seeing many of them, they are a part of life here.
This photo is a simple nativity scene made of road cones. Local artist Pete Majendie from the Side Door Arts Trust has placed this pregnant Mary and Joseph upon a pile of rubble on the corner of a busy intersection. The pile of rubble was once an historic church building.
The best example of communication
I think one of the best examples of communication ever was the mysterious Creator God sending part of Godself to become human. What better way to communicate with humans than to be a human?!
The Incarnation.
Jesus.
God with us.
Have you seen any contemporary nativity scenes that resonate with your local context?
It’s possible to post photos in the comments below – it would be great to see some other nativity scenes and to hear your thoughts on how these might affect The Message in your location.
My hope for Christmas
I also want to make this post an opportunity to thank you, readers of my blog, and to hope a Christmastime for you that shows signs of inspiration because God chose to communicate in such a radical way as becoming human.
Gloria in excelsis Deo! 1
Image: Road cone nativity by Pete Majendie, photo by Mike Crudge.
Notes:
- Glory to God in the highest! ↩
