My Zulu Jesus
I’ve been thinking all week about a recent YFC meeting where we sat down together and shared about our favorite Christmas ornaments. It seemed like such a simple exercise, but afterward, my mind kept turning toward one particular piece I treasure above all the others—a Zulu nativity set that a friend from my church in Duluth gifted me some time ago.
Now, I’ve seen my share of nativity scenes, but this one stands out. Handmade in South Africa, it’s just three figures—what we’d simply call mom, dad, and baby—beautifully shaped and painted in a style I never used to associate with Christmas. Yet here, in these delicate pieces, I see a deeper truth. Jesus was Jewish, born in a specific place and time, yet His love and purpose stretch far beyond Bethlehem’s borders. Here, crafted from a culture on another continent, is a reminder that He came for everyone. It brings to mind Revelation 7:9, where people from every nation, tribe, and language stand before God’s throne. That’s what I feel when I look at this scene: all of us brought together as one family in Christ.
Every December, when my wife Venessa starts hauling out the Christmas boxes—tinsel, lights, ornaments, wreaths—my eyes go straight to one spot. It’s that gentle moment when she unwraps the Zulu nativity set and places it just so, on a shelf or a table where everyone can see. It’s my favorite piece, hands down. There’s something about its simplicity and the way it weaves our global faith into the warmth of our home. I have to admit, I also keep a watchful eye to make sure our Golden-doodle doesn’t decide to take a curious nibble. The last thing I need is our pup running off with baby Jesus in her mouth! Still, it’s a welcome bit of laughter in the midst of such a profound symbol.
As I reflect on this small set, it reminds me that Jesus’s birth isn’t just a historical event to remember once a year. It’s an ongoing invitation into a worldwide community of believers, people who belong together—even if we don’t look or sound alike—under the same loving God. And it’s not just about the past. We’re looking ahead, too, excited for the day when Christ returns. Like Archbishop Desmond Tutu once said, “God’s dream is that we will realize we are family.” This nativity points me toward that dream every time I see it.
It’s funny how things work out. I never planned on writing a blog inspired by a meeting at YFC, but here I am. Sometimes, all it takes is a small moment or a simple object to open your eyes to something bigger. It’s cool how we can start with an icebreaker about Christmas ornaments and end up thinking about global unity, the body of Christ, and the hope of His return. If that isn’t a reminder of God’s quiet work in our everyday lives, I’m not sure what is.