Etched in Flesh

Hello on a Wednesday that kind of feels like a Monday.

I hope you had a pleasant Christmas.

I had no plans of decorating in any shape or manner of means…that is until Christmas Eve. That morning I awoke with the anticipation of my oldest son and his girlfriend coming down from Eugene. I had plans to attend a Christmas Eve program at a local Baptist church in a nearby town. My youngest son and two granddaughters would join us Christmas morning for a nice Christmas Brunch, nothing big and fancy, more low-key and stress-free.

Coffee made, fire stoked, animals fed, I curled up on the love seat and looked around at my home, which had no sign of Christmas. That was it!

I knew just the music to get me in the mood. I grabbed my phone, instructed it to play Burl Ives’ Have a Holly Jolly Christmas, and away I went.

I found a channel on YouTube that had a nice a.i. rendering of a beautifully decorated Christmas tree and with Burl Ives singing loudly from my kitchen island, I began to bring items from the office shelves into the living room.

Little by little, my space began to “feel” like Christmas.

There was just one more thing I needed, and it was something I had not unpacked or displayed in several years; my nativity set. I headed out to the garage hoping I could easily spot the box and I did. It was also easily accessible and within a minute I was unpacking one of my most prized possessions.

May I tell you about this set?

It was made by my dad in 1963. He then gave the set to his mother that year as a gift. My grams displayed it every Christmas for the rest of her life (or just about).

When grandma passed away in 2009, my aunt Amy gave me this set. The pieces were, and are, still wrapped in very worn pieces of wax paper, nestled in very old cut-up newspaper. Not a single piece broken. In fact, at 61 years of age, this set is almost in perfect condition with the exception of a couple of minor chips.  

Oh, how I smiled as I carefully unwrapped each piece, reminiscing as I did. I think I even squealed with delight as I got down to the bottom of the box and unwrapped one of the large camels. I had forgotten how big they were!

As I unwrapped baby Jesus in the manger, I turned the piece over and nearly burst with joy. There, etched by my daddy’s own hand, was his name, “Larry Bartlett” and the date “1963”; the year I was born.

What makes this set so very special is:

a) it was made by my dad who was killed in a plane crash in Alaska when I was 8 years old.

b) because it belonged to a grandmother who was very big in my life, it is etched in my childhood memories.

c) it was gifted to me by my aunt at my grandmother’s passing.

d) and of course, last, and certainly not least, the story it represents!

The Word, (God the Creator), prepared a plan long before the world's creation. In collaboration with our Heavenly Abba, The Word chose to put on human flesh, being born as a helpless babe, and ultimately underwent the torture and death that every sinner deserved—bearing it Himself for our sake. My, my, my.

There is so much significance in this set.

I called my mom and learned where my dad created these beautiful pieces. It was at Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington D.C. in the rehab department where my dad worked. I never knew that, or at the very least had forgotten. That would also be the hospital where I was born; same year. Amazing!

This nativity set means the world to me. Handcrafted by my dad, it's a reminder of his love and skill. Passed down from my grandma, it's part of my happiest memories. Given to me after she passed, it is a precious link to my family's story. But most of all, it echoes Jesus' story. This set is not just decor; it is a reminder of love passed down and Jesus' gift to us all.

John 3:16 is the most well-known verse in the world, but, combined with its companion verses 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21, they become the most important text in the entire bible. At the very least, they certainly are of critical importance. Read it again; read it anew.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.” – ESV

Just as I discovered my father's name and date etched by his own hand, Jesus' hands and feet will be forever marked as a testament, not just to His sacrifice, but to His enduring love for me and for you!

These etchings, one by my earthly father and the other by my Heavenly Savior, each carry great significance: a connection to life's beginnings and a reminder of the immense love inscribed within our stories and a promise that these stories never have to end.

Jesus is coming soon. Do you know Him? Have you accepted Him as your Savior? If not, why not? Do it right now. Ask Him into your heart.

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23 ESV

by Jeanette Stark – Wednesday, December 27, 2023