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Tuesday, December 23, 2008

The 12 blogs of Christmas: #9 - O Come Let Us Adore Him!

One of my favorite parts of decorating for Christmas is unpacking and displaying my Nativity collection. It started when we got married and someone gave us the Fontanini collection Holy Family. Since then, we've added a new piece every year or two to that set.

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And I've added other Nativities to the collection. I love having Nativity sets around as a reminder of the reason for the season. And because the collection gets packed away in January every year, I don't have to continually dust it, which is definitely a bonus.

Since this is my blog and I can do what I want to, I thought I'd share with you some of my favorites from the collection...

There's the Peruvian Nativity:

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the George Carruth stone-carved Nativity from my friend Claire:

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the fireplace Nativity screen I bought as a gift to myself for my 35th birthday:

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the "Rita" Nativity, a collection handbuilt by artist Rita Jackson and given to me by Mike's grandmother:

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though several of the pieces are broken and are waiting for me to fix them with Mighty Putty.

And of course the Fisher Price Nativity. Though in our version, Joseph has gone to the local watering hole with a shepherd and a couple of wise men, leaving Mary to look after the Savior of the World and a bunch of animals by herself:

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There are more, but I didn't have the energy to unpack them all this year. I'll be scouring the after Christmas sales for my next favorite and maybe next year I'll put them all out.

What is your favorite part of Christmas decorating?

5 comments:

Vicki aka Diva Mom said...

We have a Fontanini set too. But not the stable you have - that's beautiful.

We've got the Fisher Price set including a barn and the shepard set. Of course most of the time Star Wars figures are mixed in with the Holy Family... maybe if the Jedi had been around, the Holy Family wouldn't have had to flee from Bethlehem...

Joanie said...

I have 2 Nativity sets. Te first one I bought 30 years ago when I was visiting my sister when she lived in Germany. We went to Oberammagau (where they hold the passion play) and I bought a set hand-carved by Herr Eder. I was going to add pieces while my sister was still living overseas but I never did.
The second Natvity is a terra cotta set, given to me by my other sister, who bought it in Columbia while she was there on a religious mission (my sister is a nun).

Personally, I collect Santas. I have over 100 of them in all shapes and sizes. My favorites are my Irish Santas, in green or wearing kilts. This year I didn't put any of them out. I just don't feel in the Christmas spirit this year.

Nate's Mom said...

I love decorating the Christmas tree. As I pull out each ornament and give them to the child they were bought for, the kids want to know why they were bought or what year. The little boys were old enough to really ask this year. It's fun for me to reminisce Christmases past. I love the ornaments. They each have a special meaning.

Sheri in CA

Anonymous said...

I just have to let you know we went to the mall for our annual visit to Santa and I saw your figure that is either in distress or making a snow angel from your shopping in Cleveland post. I think it's supposed to be the little brother from the Christmas Story who can't get up because he has too many coats on. I hope you have a great holiday!

Shannon @ Gabi's World said...

I love Nativities too! Your last one reminds me of one that a friend of mine has. It is a Veggie Tales Nativity and Gabi plays with it EVERY time we go to her house. It has a star on the top of the manger that you push and you hear it sing "O Little Town of Bethlehem" in a veggie voice. Gabi LOVES it!

Okay now it is official! I have to read your blog during the day! It is almost 3 AM and I can't seem to stop! Going to bed now.... really!