The above photos are of the handcrafted nativity scene that has graced the homes of my parents since 1960. I remember cars slowing down to view the scene and the year we won the city Christmas lights contest. I wonder if a Nativity scene would win today? This is what my mom wrote when I asked her to write the history of their nativity.
"Originally, in about 1960 we cut out the characters from masonite, painted the features and clothes. We also made one set for the church. This was in Marshall, OK while Garry was in seminary. Then we added bales of hay for the background in Clearwater, KS until we made a wooden stable. Also used the stable in Beatrice and North Platte. I think I dressed them in real clothes when we moved to North Platte. Added the jewels for the crowns and gifts at that time. The clothes have changed through the years as they faded and wore out. Added furs, brocades, satins, cordoroy, woolen fabrics, beads and more jewels. The hands were made from plastic milk cartons and painted. The hair and mustaches are real human hair.
The characters were stolen once in North Platte and twice in Lincoln, with some of the characters returned by a dad in Lincoln from his back porch. All of the characters stolen in North Platte were returned to the back alley. One time, most of the characters were broken in half or decapitated. My nephew came down to help Garry repair them. He refused to let the vandals win!. "
The photos do not do the nativity justice. The detail and artistry are amazing. I'm pretty sure my mom was the first Martha Stewart!
Take time to drive around this Christmas and notice the different nativities. Plastic, wood, elaborate or simple- they remind us of the Reason for the Season!
Happy Birthday, Jesus!
You're invited to a Happy Birthday Jesus Party for bloggers from Dec.13th-Dec.20th!
Click on the image above to be taken to the Creative Call Studios blogspot for more information.
Let's keep Christ in Christmas !
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5 comments:
This is amazing. What a wonderful tradition and story behind this set.
:)
Joy
Lennea,
I love this! I was just saying at church tonight as I was looking at their nativity and hearing the history of it that one of my favorite things about Christmas is the nativity. I live about two hours from Bronner's, which is the largest Christmas store in the U.S. (and the world, I think.) I call it "all Christmas, all the time." They have a whole section of nativities, many from other countries. I don't have the space or money for anything grand, but I have started collecting small figures and ornaments. I'll be posting pics on my blog. Thanks for sharing pics of your parents' nativity and the history of it.
Blessings,
Carrie
I love to hear the stories behind family nativities. This one is amazing. Beautiful pictures celebrating Jesus' birthday
What an amazing story. What history that Nativity has seen! It is just precious that your nephew was so protective of them. I think that our children really appreciate it when we take care to include our Christ in Christmas. Your family is keeper of the Nativity! What an honor! Merry Christmas!
What a beautiful nativity. My heart almost breaks when I think of the days when nativities graced peoples lawns along with Santa. But lately, in the last few years I may have counted maybe seeing one nativity out of the tons of those ugly Santa and snowman inflatables. Nothing wrong with Santa, we have my dads vintage wood Santa on our home, but the nativity has always been an important part of Christmas to me. I just don't understand how something so beautiful and peaceful could make some people angry. If they don't believe in Jesus then why couldn't they at least see the nativity as a reminder of family, of how a child can really make things more beautiful, the world a more wonderful place to be ? I am so thankful 'they' have not abolished the Charlie Brown Christmas, I fell in love with this show way back in the 70s.
Thank-you for posting these pictures, if I don't see any nativity here ( none yet !! --but I do have two inside my home ) then at least I know I can come here. God bless, Tracy xo
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