Growing up in a minister’s family was a good experience for me. I have heard many bemoan the fact that they were preacher’s kids but not me. I loved it. I loved the church potlucks, the parade of people that passed through the parsonage doors, and especially the times I got to go along with my Daddy to meetings on my own because I was the youngest and everyone else was in school. I especially remember a meeting that involved a box of Chicken in a Biscuit crackers as a treat –funny how I think of Daddy every time I see a box of those crackers.
I have shared my favorite Christmas memories before and I smile when I think about our Christmas Eve traditions. I tried to create some similar traditions with our own boys. One of the best things that we do is put out a nativity set. Or in my case 10 or 20 nativity sets. Another collection of sorts I guess.
This year I decided to not pull every single decoration out and focused on just the basics. Our smaller house does not accommodate all of the decorations that I previously put out in our Iowa house so less is better in this case.
The one thing that I have always put out without fail is the nativity set that I grew up with. I am not sure how I was the child that was allowed to take the set as my own but I did and I am so glad that I have it. This is one thing that I am not good at sharing. I have never offered to share it with my siblings and while that sounds really selfish I guess it is the way it is going to be. I am not going to part with it.
The set was our set for as long as I can remember. There are some sheep, a camel, a dog who has to be leaned up against someone or something else because one leg is too short, and then the rest of the main players in the birth of Christ story.
But Baby Jesus is missing. Sadly Baby Jesus went by the wayside. I do not remember what exactly happened to Baby Jesus. You would think that is something I would remember. Regardless of what happened to the original Baby Jesus my Daddy came to the rescue. He crafted a manger out of balsa wood and a cotton ball became Baby Jesus.
Today I have the nativity displayed on a china hutch which houses my favorite teapots. I have added a “real” Baby Jesus but you know what? The cotton ball Baby Jesus rests on top of it because that is the way I remember it.
The balsa wood manger is in pieces from many moves where movers were not as careful with packing a delicate item crafted from a soft wood but I still have the pieces in the bottom of the box. But cotton ball Baby Jesus still makes his appearance.
Some things change with time, don’t they? Children grow up and move out. Life goes on. But in my house the cotton ball Baby Jesus will always make an appearance at Christmas time. It just seems like the imperfect nativity set speaks volumes .
18 Comments
Leave a commentSuch a sweet story. Thanks for sharing.
I just LOVE this….how special that you’ve kept that little cotton ball Baby Jesus….. And I, too, have special memories of Chicken In A Biscuit crackers. I remember my mom and grandmother discovering them for the first time at the supermarket!
Thanks, Dianna. Yes–that little cotton ball Baby Jesus is still an important part. 🙂 I love that we have a shared memory of Chicken in A Biscuit ! Who would have thought?
I love that you still have the family nativity set and the cotton ball baby Jesus. How special. All great memories! I left so many of my Christmas decorations behind. But I did bring the 3 piece nativity set I made 16 years ago and I am so glad I did.
Of course you had to leave a lot behind but how wonderful that you have a nativity that you made! That is a wonderful thing to have your own set to put out.
This is so sweet. We had a nativity set that we put out each year too. I have no idea where that went. Part of me thinks I had it for awhile…but I really don’t know. Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Isn’t it odd how things disappear and you think about them yeas later and wonder what the heck happened to it? I have had that happen several times but I blame moving. 🙂
This is just the most beautiful and loving story.
I, too, have a treasured Nativity scene crafted by my maternal grandfather from wood (the stable) and Plaster of Paris (the people and animals). Mine is missing the camels. Joseph suffers a broken hand. But it is perfect, just perfect.
I am glad you liked the story. I suspect these figures are made of a similar type of material. They are well loved and have obviously been around a long time. Yours sounds perfect as well—it is those well loved items that hold our heart because of the memories.
At least one thing is for certain.. the “cotton ball Baby Jesus” will not ever be broken in one of your moves.. Thanks for sharing the story and least. Merry Christmas to all of your family Beth Ann and of course a Happy New Year as well!
This is very true, Jake! Hopefully there won’t be many more moves. Chris said the next move would be in an urn. 🙂
That’s so cute! The cotton ball works just fine I think.
I agree! It is the perfect reminder that Baby Jesus comes in many forms and in different ways to different people, right? All we have to do is seek him.
Love the cotton ball. My Mom and Dad had one they put out every year and I considered taking it when my Mom died, but we have one that we bought for our first Christmas together so I didn’t. I’m really hoping, though, that my brother kept it!
Precious memories!
What wonderful memories! I don’t have the nativity set of my childhood because my mom still uses it at her home… but I do of course get to still see it every Christmas and that’s just as good. I love my own. Even if it does result in the “but the wiseman were not actually at the birth” debate every single year. Which is why my wiseman are traveling TO the Inn and not actually AT the stable. LOL Amazing the difference a 4 inch placement of figures will make to some, eh? haha
Oh yes—agree about the wise men. But mine are so much a part of the scene that they are right there nuzzling up to the manger. I like to think that they are time travelers or something. 🙂
I searched for years for a nativity set with middle eastern figures (pre-internet days). Why did all the Mary’s have blond hair and blue eyes? Finally I found a wonderful Mexican nativity where everyone has black hair and brown eyes. Except for Joseph. Joseph is blond with blue eyes. I love that nativity set!