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Monday, December 14, 2009

Nativities

I have several nativities that I display at Christmas time.  This one was given to us anonymously by a friend during a time we were struggling financially.  It's a beautiful "Willow Tree" rendition with carvings of Mary, shepherds and animals.



This beautiful ceramic nativity is very special to me.  My Grandma Hansen had this in her curio cabinet all year round.  I always admired it and I was fortunate enough to inherit it.


This darling wooden nativity was a gift from my dear friend, Noreta, who passed away 11 years ago.  Many of my Christmas decorations were lovingly made by her.  I have many emotions when I open my Christmas boxes and rediscover the treasures of the season!



This sweet Precious Moments nativity was given to me by my daughter, Candice.



This is my Christmas stocking.  My daughter, Jeanette, made all our stockings several years ago.  I was happy that mine had the Holy Family.



I "made" this nativity.  My friend, Rhonda, from Nampa, Idaho sat down with me and helped with this craft.  Any of you who know me, know I'm all thumbs and very uncreative.  But this was a fun project, especially with Rhonda.  I like the crazed look in the donkey's eyes!  I guess that's how you get when you've traveled such a long distance carrying a heavy load.


This nativity is lots of fun for the grandkids.  They make the pieces talk, move, ride, eat, hold the baby Jesus; and I don't worry about them breaking any of it.  It's important for them to know the story of the first Christmas and to share it through play and imagination.


All of these nativities are special to me, not only because of the memories evoked by them, but because of the reminder of our Heavenly Father's love for us by giving us His Son.

If you want to make a nativity set that is really kid friendly, check out Camille's blog or Tauna's blog!

21 comments:

Julie Harward said...

How nice to have all these. You have given me an idea...a friend of ours just passed away today..my heart is heavy for his widow. It all happened so fast..a healthy, strong man..up and had a stroke..been in the hospital for 2 weeks, now gone, it's been awful and such a shock. I am going to find a special nativity for her. What do you think of this idea...come say hi :D

Welcome to the Garden of Egan said...

I love your Nativity's they are all so beautiful and have such meaning for you.
I would love to buy the Willow Tree ones for my two DIL's and daughter. I know that they love them.
I had to click on your whimsical one because it sorta looks like one I started several years ago and haven't finished. It's made of rocks. I really should start working on it to finish it....maybe next year.

Hugs!
Tauna

gigi said...

Beautiful memeories you have for each set. I think I would love to make those ones that Camille made next year with the little girls.

Don't you have some cute new pictures on your side bar? Darling GRANDS!

Anita@Theycallmejammi said...

Hi Connie...thanks for your visit. I was actually rewriting some of the post you commented on this morning, so you might want to come back for a re-read...I hit post when I meant to hit save and had not 'edited'. Can you believe that we are below the 10 day mark till Christmas...it always seems better when we have double digits....so remember, deep breath...it is going to come whether we are ready or not, right????

Kristina P. said...

I don't even have an entire nativity!

Barbaloot said...

I love nativities. I have 4 of my own now and am sure I will collect more and more as life goes on. I love Willow Tree figurines---they're so simple and beautiful. I'll have to add that nativity to my list of ones I want:)

CB said...

I loved reading about all of your beautiful nativities. Nativities hold a special place in my heart too and I have several that I love.

A favorite that we have had over the years was the Fisher Price Nativity for the kids. I love the block style that you highlighted in your post here also - I think when kids have a chance to have their own Nativity to play with they gain a love for them too!

Camille said...

Actually, I don't think the donkey had a crazed look on its face BEFORE the grandkids played with it... :)
I love your nativity sets.

Kazzy said...

I do not own one nativity set! Horrible, huh? I used to have two but my little boys loved them to smithereens.

Valerie said...

Beautiful Nativities! I love the kid friendly ones...I have a small plastic Nativity that my mom gave me when Curtis was a toddler. A few years ago, she gave me a beautiful porcelain Nativity, which I love!
Last year, our Stake did a Nativity Display for the community and I was able to help with that. It was wonderful to see all the amazing Nativities & to see so many different ones. We had 100's of them. This year they are inviting other churches to participate as well. Sorry I'll miss it :(
Thanks for sharing, and for getting me to think of other Nativity scenes that I have as well.
And I really want to get the Willow Tree one sometime...so pretty! (That's like the longest reply ever!)

Linda said...

Believe it or not, a true Nativity set is the one thing I don't own. I've been on the lookout for that one special set. I'll find it at some point.

I love all of yours! Such wonderful keepsakes!

Brenda said...

What a wonderful idea! I love the nativity that grandkiddos can play with. I'm also LOVING that Christmas stocking...SO SWEET!

Yvonne said...

I love nativities, too. Whenever we travel, I try to get one. Yours are beautiful.

I have one for my grandchildren to play with, too--I think that is so important.

Going to have to check out the kid-friendly nativity.

Natalie said...

I love nativities and I think the ones you have are beautiful. There is just something so wonderful about them.

Personalized Sketches and Sentiments said...

What a beautiful collection with so many special meanings :o) I love the one that belonged to your grandmother! And how awesome is the one that you created and that your grandkids enjoy!

Blessings & Aloha!
(Thank you dear friend for stopping by and for your sweet comment! You and your family are beautiful! :o)
I have been so behind in blog reading since working full time...that I was thinking that I would be soon forgotten! I really cant wait for our break and get some fun blog reading in!)

Valerie said...

I love nativities, although I only have one and it's a one-piece nativity. It's great that each of your have stories and memories with them. I loooove that your grandma kept hers out year-round.

Ann Marie said...

I love your nativities!!

I especially love that they have sentimental meaning.. that stuff is the most precious!!

I only have little ones. One day I'm going to buy one that has pieces bigger than my finger.. one day.. :)

Christy Burnett said...

Connie, you have so many comments!!! I just wanted to wish you a Merry Christmas. The last picture reminded me of Sunday when our 2 year old grandson rearranged all the nativities. He put the tiny baby Jesus from each one and put them in a special place. I believe there was a pure and innocent message there for all of us....to keep the Savior in a special place in our life.
I love having all of my nativities displayed as well. I try to get a new one each December. Sure love you friend.

Jenny said...

This year I only set out 2 of my nativity sets. I did not have enough places here in the new house to set up all of mine. Next year! I love love having one that my children can play with.

Love your stocking!

Kimmie said...

You always make me laugh. Just when I am reading along you always throw in a funny comment!!

I love nativities! Our stake has a nativity night and everyone brings their nativities and they play pretty music and you walk around to the different rooms and see all of the nativities. It is amazing all of the different styles of nativities.

I think it is SO important for kids to act out the nativity.

You are an awesome mom and grandma!

Dorothy said...

What a beautiful idea, and great collection I truly enjoyed the photos.

Dorothy from grammology
grammology.com