Advent Calendar Day 24: Nativity

December 24, 2011

Symbol of Christmas:

Image source

Nativity

Over the past few years I have accumulated a collection of Nativity sets.  All of them were gifts given to me, with the exception of one that I made myself.  But I love all of them!  Each one has sentimental value.  I have a big, beautiful one from my mother-in-law (the traditional kind).  Two little ones from my parents (one is 3D laser crystal engraved and the other is a small porcelain one small enough for a cramped apartment).  Another one from my parents is fabric, which my mom made for Adam and is great because it's unbreakable.  One from my brother that is probably my favorite because he hand carved all the figures (but I still need the Wise Men so when he gets back from his mission, there will be no excuses!).  The other ones were given to me by friends or other family members; the most recent one I got this week from my sister-in-law (thanks Janny! I LOVE it!).  I have 10 altogether and they are my favorite part of decorating at Christmas time.  I remember we had a porcelain one growing up and we just loved to set it up and look at it during the holidays.  My favorite piece was the little lambie (sp?) because it was so cute and little.  I love the Nativity because it is probably the most visual reminder I have of why we celebrate Christmas.  I hope my children will enjoy the tradition of setting up the Nativity as much as I did.  

We actually used to reenact the Nativity story on Christmas Eve when we were all living at home.  When I was little, my sister and I would alternate playing Mary and Joseph, but as we got older and more kids came along, we were promoted to the Wise "Men."  I think my last time doing it Janelle and I were wise men, Shaylin was Mary, Loren was Joseph (obviously), Kristina and Breanna were the angel and shepherd (I don't remember which was which) and we used a doll for baby Jesus and stuffed animals for the lambs.  My dad was the narrator usually (or the donkey when we were little) and my mom was the innkeeper.  We used blankets and sheets and old ties for costumes.  It was fun and I think I will continue that tradition with my kids.

The Nativity is a good teaching tool as well.  Already, Adam knows where Baby Jesus is in the one we set up for him, and he is just barely one year old.  He also knows where the lambies are too.  One time, he even took Baby Jesus with him to bed at nap time.  It was so cute!
As Christmas approaches, I hope we can take time to ponder and appreciate the special event that happened over 2000 years ago in a little town called Bethlehem.