I love Christmas. I love the smells, the sounds, the tastes—it’s a sensory delight for me! We have so many special traditions—recipes, gatherings, and décor. And, while I love the lights in this season of early-evening darkness, my favorite decorations are my nativities. I didn’t realize I was a “collector” until this year as I unloaded nativity after nativity.
My collection started when we got married with a wood-carved Willow Tree nativity. It’s a simple five-piece display with Mary, Joseph, Jesus, and two animals. I think I like the simplicity of it.
Early in my real estate career, my first managing broker in South Bend (shout out to my Cressy & Everett Family) gave me the smallest nativity I’ve ever seen. Each tiny piece is handmade and painted. The entire 15-piece set fits into one small jewelry box. (I’m telling you, it’s SMALL!)
One of the Grove family traditions for decades was to go all together (30+ people) to a Christmas tree farm to cut down their tree. One year, at the farm’s gift shop, I spotted a beautiful, porcelain nativity and pointed it out to my father-in-law. He surprised me and gave it to me for Christmas that year.
A few years ago, Dustin surprised me with a nativity we spotted at an Indiana State Park—it’s a cardinal nativity. This is an especially important bird to us as Ball State alums! (Chirp, chirp!) Hilarious and adorable!
One of my client’s parents collected nativities, and as we worked together to sell their estate, they let me choose one to keep. (Absolutely priceless!). The one I selected is hand-cut, hammered and painted metal. I absolutely love the bright colors.
The list goes on and on… we have VeggieTales from when our kids were little, and one we selected while vacationing in Mexico. I picked one up that’s three painted canvases.
I love them all. I love the memories of where and when and how we collected them.
But, mostly, I love the story they tell: Hope, in the form of a child. The ultimate, grace-filled gift.
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)
“And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” (Luke 2:8-21)
Hi, Stacy! Your Veggie Tales nativity is adorable… is that the baby Jesus as a baby carrot?? I also like the cardinals. My kids always liked the Fisher Price Little People Nativity, since they could play with it, and it’s so cute… We also have the Hallmark Itty Bittys Nativity. But nicest of all, I have the vintage Nativity scene I grew up with, with a wooden creche and manger with a serene baby Jesus blessing the world as he reclines. Unfortunately, it didn’t come with a Mary or Joseph, so over the years we used Holly Hobby and various cast members dressed as Joseph and the shepherds to complete the scene. Merry Christmas to you and yours and we will miss you in the neighborhood!