FCUCC presents ‘Luke’s Nativity’

First Congregational United Church of Christ in Jamestown and Zion Congregational United Church of Christ in Medina are presenting special performances of “Luke’s Nativity” during Advent and Christmas this year.

The performances will be part of the weekly Sunday services from Dec. 2 until Jan. 6. Worship is at 9 a.m. in Medina and 11 a.m. in Jamestown. A candlelight service is also planned on Christmas Eve at 5:30 p.m. in Jamestown and 7:30 p.m. in Medina.

“Many churches put on nativity plays during Advent, but often times they turn into fluffy affairs that don’t explore the Bible in any depth or breadth of understanding,” said the Rev. Martin Nussbaum. “A few years ago, I helped put on a nativity play that featured a child dressed as a bumblebee. That is fine when you are 3 or 4 years old to get the message that there is a place for everyone in the church, but as you grow and develop in your faith, it is nice to connect with what the Bible actually says.”

The Bible study began in October when the all-ages group started by reciting the nativity story of Luke from memory together.

“We discovered that we included many events that were parts of Matthew’s story, not Luke’s, and whole portions of the Luke’s story were completely forgotten and skipped over,” Nussbaum said. “Luke’s Nativity story is a provocative challenging story with prophetic speeches from a large cast of interesting characters who all address what Jesus is to be as Messiah. Too often we have glossed over the gospel message because it is not safe to our modern perspectives. The Bible study class is opening up the story and letting it speak for itself.”

Tags: life, religion