Our
Nativity or Manger scene was always a part of our Christmas. My mother had a
small table in the hall where we’d set up the wooden stable and colorful
plastic figures: the animals, an angel, a shepherd and the Holy Family. We had
a cow that did not stand straight. She had to lean against the stall to stay on
her feet. There were fat white sheep and a friendly looking grey donkey. The
Blessed Mother, in her pink and blue robes, was my favorite. We never put the
Baby Jesus in the little scene until Christmas Day. And my brothers and I put
the three wise men on the far edge of the table. Each day we’d take turns,
moving them closer to the Baby.
When
I got married my mother bought me a beautiful set of Nativity figures of my
own. I keep them in the original box and love lifting out each tissue paper
wrapped figure. It is like seeing friends who I haven’t seen in a long time. When
my children were little theirs were the little hands who placed the animals in
the stable and moved the wise men closer each day.
Read some of my 2011 Advent posts.
I like the idea of moving the pieces. I've never known anyone to do that. It certainly brings the Christmas story to life and helps build the anticipation.
ReplyDeleteWe would move the Wise Men closer & closer till Epiphany, the day they arrived in Bethlehem.
ReplyDelete