"Away in a manger"

After reading on Timmerie's post about her remembering the nativity her family had when she was growing up---I decided to do a post about my nativities. I have been collecting them for years now. Some very simple and cheap, some more elaborate. This year I only put out a few for display--I think six--but I got a couple more out to take pictures of.

This first one is THE one I grew up with. The one my siblings and I would rearrange daily and spend hours admiring. It was in my family long before I was born. I believe the story is that my mom purchased it when my older sisters were very young. She hand painted the pieces. I think my Dad built the stable?? There are a few pieces missing now--the one I can recall for sure is the camel. Sometime when I was a teenager, my mom decided to move on to a new nativity. I was in the right place at the right time and became the proud new owner of the family heirloom. I think at this point in time the nativity is over 45 years old.

The new nativity that my mom chose was the Fontanini collection from Italy. She bought the starter set and then added pieces each year. These are collectors items. Some people have entire rooms full of their Fontanini Bethlehem cities. You can buy all kinds of buildings and accessories. Each character comes with a little note card that has it's name, picture, and made-up story of the role they played in the time of Christ's birth. I don't yet have any of the buildings, besides a stable. So it is tricky to display all the characters. This year I just set up the main, familiar nativity characters, and put all the rest in a basket. They are not breakable, and the kids are loving setting them up and learning their names as they match them up with their story cards. Oh yes, why do I also have my moms Fontanini nativity?? When my mom was sick in the hospital with cancer, she one day asked me to get her notebook from her purse for her. One line on her to-do list said, "Miriam-Fontanini". She proceeded to tell me that if she didn't make it through this cancer, that her Fontanini nativity was mine. Then she crossed it off her list. My sister Rachel, has still been adding to my collection every year since.

This next nativity is now my official "piano nativity". It looks beautiful there and is the type I've always imagined on a piano. This is my second year using it. Last year Jen Arbon GAVE it to me because she didn't want it anymore!!! Thanks Jen!!! It's a keeper and will be on our piano for years to come. Like my mom, Jen was moving on to another nativity. These folks who just want ONE nativity!!!!

These next ones are my kids nativities. The Little People one I've been wanting for years, but have been too cheap to buy it. I finally found it second hand on KSL classifieds last year. The one on the right I bought when I was 16 years old, to keep for my future kids. 13 years later I had kids!! Last year Ellie arranged it every day like in the picture--all the characters in a circle around the baby Jesus!! LOVE IT!!! The "stuffed" soft nativity I bought years ago at a dollar store. Each piece was only $1. I have many more little nativities that are not my favorites--they all stayed boxed up this year.

This is my Willow Tree nativity. I only have the starter set. My sister, Kim bought it for me as a thank-you gift for arranging a cruise we all went on about 8 years ago. She bought it in California on Catalina Island. I had really been wanting it--and LOVE it!! Someday I'll break down and buy the rest of it.

The other nativity in the picture is the one Darin and I have used most of our marriage. we bought it in Cache Valley at the old Ernst store. We also bought an identical one for his mom, which she still uses as well. I highlighted the donkey character because it reminds me to bridle my anger!! Once while living in California, I was irritated at some shoes left right in my path--so I kicked them. One shoe hit the donkey and broke it. I glued it as best I could. Imagine, injuring the humble beast who carried Mary to Bethlehem?? Horrible!!

Yes, Santa is a huge fun part of Christmas. I am a fan and a believer. But it's nice to have so many reminders of the "true" meaning of Christmas all around the house. I have a favorite ornament on our tree. It is a Santa kneeling at the manger.

"Away in a manger, no crib for His bed, the little Lord Jesus lay down his sweet head....."