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Reason for the Season



I have a special love for the holy family. My favorite mass is the mass following Christmas where they bless the families and the mass centers around Mary. Because of this, I also have a fondness for nativities.

Growing up my Grandmother Oliver had the most lovely Nativity scene I had (or have) ever seen. The pieces were large and colorful, yet were subtle in design. The wise men and their camels were studded with jewels, yet the peace on Mary's face is evident and Joseph's love is shining through these pieces of ceramic.

I have tried to have a nativity set in every room of my house. I am taking this collection slow, as I want each one to reflect in some way my love for the holy family.

The top nativity came to me from the school I just left as principal. The "administrator gift committee" gave this to me, not out of love for the season or for me, but because they assumed I wasn't a Christian when I refused to have a winter concert at night. I was fighting to have our concerts in the day time because I wanted ALL MY STUDENTS to have the opportunity to perform. It seems that when you have kids in the forefront, you can be considered a Non-Christian.

The following came from Mexico. I loved the take on the manger scene!



There isn't anything you can say about this one... a snowman nativity scene?



My mother in law painted the pieces to this set and my father in law made the manger. It is the most special set in our home. Every year Ashley places the pieces in and around the manger. She still loves to do it, even at the ripe age of 22.



This porcelain piece comes from Partylite Candles. It is especially beautiful when the candle is lit (which I thought it was).



This darling little nativity I got at the auction of one of my PEO sisters who had passed on. This little piece caught my eye (along with a mink for Ashley) and I would have paid much more than the dollar I paid for it. It is from Italy and was blessed by the Pope!



This last nativity ornament was made by the neighbor boys across the street. There are four of them in one family. They manage to leave their baseballs, bikes, trikes, etc., all over our yard. One time the littlest one stuffed our water run-off drain with plastic playground balls. After the basement flooded three times the county finally came out and snaked it. That prank cost us $3000 if you consider the concrete work, new carpet and pad that had to be replaced. But the minute those cute, smudged faces came over with cookies and this ornament, all was instantly forgiven.



Would you like to comment?

  1. Anonymous7:39 AM

    I love your nativities, Terri. I'm still on the hunt for one that I will love as my very own. I guess nothing will compare to the one my mother made in a ceramics class in the 80s. The Fontanini type ones just seem so overwrought to me...

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  2. Terri,
    Your nativities are beautiful. And I love the story behind all of them. The Holy Family has always held a special place in my heart. But for many more reasons now: our parish name is Holy Family, Joseph's love for his "step" son.

    Although, the nativity is so cute, I think I might have preferred to have the prank paid for instead.

    Love,
    Julie

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  3. Anonymous1:00 PM

    They are all beautiful,but the one at the top is out of this world.

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  4. The first nativity is gorgeous. I like that you have one for every room.
    Nan

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  5. I love your collection. We always have called the Nativity the Creche.
    To me Christmas decorating is not complete without a Creche. Growing up we had a very old one (the fleece had long come off the little lambs) but it still was proudly displayed every year.
    In the rv I have room for a snowglobe that contains the Creche and plays Silent Night.

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  6. That top Nativity is just stunning! Your entire collection is lovely!

    Manuela

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  7. Anonymous6:27 PM

    Dear friend, I have been wondering how you have been faring. So glad to hear you have power...ah...power. :)
    I'll be toodling through your neck of the woods in a few short days as I make my trek to God's country...Kansas. :)
    Alexandra

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  8. Hi Terri,
    Love your nativities!
    Penny

    p.s. here are instructions to get rid of the border around a signature....
    Sign In to Your Blog
    Click on Template
    Click on Fonts and Colors
    Click on Border Color
    Then you are given a choice of colors for your border. Click on a blank or white spot...and save.

    Now none of your pictures will have a border, but neither will your signature...
    xo
    Penny

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  9. p.s.s. I don't see a border around your sig on this post...

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  10. Love those nativities, especially that first one. I also love that Ashley still places the figures in one of them. I guess she will have to continue helping you decorate or get her own for next year...That would be a great wedding gift idea, wouldn't it?
    Becky K.

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  11. I love all of your nativity scenes. And too bad that old school didn't know how much cute, smudged faces of children could move you...they never would have believed you weren't a Christian. :o)

    Merry Christmas, Terri!
    Kari

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  12. I so love all your nativity sets and the snowman one is absolutely delightful, never seen one like that before!! I can see why the set that your mother painted would be so special, what a wonderful heirloom! As for the nativity that those little neighbour boys made for you...precious!! xox

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  13. Anonymous7:37 AM

    I want to start a nativity scene collection. I have two so far but am always looking for pretty and unique additions. Yours are beautiful!

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  14. Those are beautiful nativity scenes you have, such a wonderful idea to collect them!

    Thanks for putting the link for me!

    Blessings! :-)

    Melissa

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