2009

2006 MERRY CHRISTMAS

It is not even Thanksgiving yet, and I bought my new nativity set for this year.

We have a new camera now (Canon EOs Rebel XTi) so I think that calls for new pictures of all of my old sets.

Here is an old picture of my collection made about 3 years ago. I have several newer sets that won' be in this picture.

ANNUAL SOAP BOX RANTING

Hopefully, I will go ahead and get this out of my system and spend the rest of the season on the "Reason for the Season".
I have received my December 2005 issue of Better Homes & Gardens. My first thumb-through met all my expectations of NO NATIVITY SCENES in decorating - not even in the background of pictures. I didn't even notice the word "Christmas" very much. So determined to really get them, I went back through page by page to tally the number of times the word Christmas actually appeared. The word "holiday" was ever present.
My unscientific research determined that the word "Christmas" appeared 36 times. I did not count the advertisement for the video "White Christmas". I was surprised to see the word "Hanukkah" was only there 2 times and do not recall seeing "Kwansa" (sp?) at all. (I have no problem giving equal time to other celebrations.) The word "Nativity" was used twice. There were 284 pages numbered. One article showed the cover of their 1961 magazine with "Christmas Ideas" in big letters. This year's cover reads "Special Ideas".
Okay, I'm done. (Until I get my next mag????) I need to go get my American Indian nativity out. It goes well with my Thanksgiving decorations.
God Bless You All.

NATIVITY SCENES ARE AWESOME

There is no limit to items that can be used to depict the birth of Christ. -wood, straw, stone, precious jewels, gold -- unlimited. Let all of nature proclaim the goodness of our God.

What an awesome depiction of the love of God in these scenes. He sent his Son so that we can have eternal and abundant life.

SOUTHERN LIVING

So, I checked through my December issued of Southern Living magazine. No pictures of decorations indicating the reason for the season. There was one home with a bedpost decorated in greenery and a filigree cross draped across. Of course, to me, the cross represents the death and resurrection of Christ that we celebrate at Easter.

The magazine did show how to make a Christmas tree out of a cone-shaped styrofoam and candy mints. There was also an article telling us where to buy menorrahs and other Hanakah accessories. Did not mention if the store carried nativity sets. The magazine also has scrumptious recipes for pound cake! I will give credit where credit is due!

I also subscribe to Better Homes and Gardens magazine. Same thing. No CHRISTmas decorations.

TRADITIONAL NATIVITY SET 

SNOW FAMILY 

SNOW PEOPLE NATIVITY 

NATIVITY IN PINK
These pink ones I found at the Bible Book & Gift Corral at the Russellville Christian Center.

My Mother started painting these Three Wise Men years ago when she thought she wanted to do ceramics. She eventually gave them to me and I finished them with acrylic paints.

CHILD'S PLAY NATIVITY
I like this one because the children appear to be creating their own Christmas program using any little item they might have on hand. My husband thinks one of the little fellers looks like Harry Potter.

MUSIC BOX 

TEDDY BEAR NATIVITY SET 

CRYSTAL CLEAR COLLECTION 

MORE VIBRANT COLORS 

A CHILD'S NATIVITY 

ALL WHITE COLLECTION 

AVON COLLECTION 

Native American Nativity Set