Wednesday, November 30, 2011

~FINALLY...NOW I HAVE ONE...~

....a Nativity set. 

How I would have loved to own one of these lovely sets when my children were small.

When I was very young..I believe it was in December 1940, WW11 was in full swing when I saw my first Nativity scene.  My parents were very young.  My baby brother was not quite a year old.  (He later passed away at the age of two and half.)   
My parents took us for a walk to a little church not far from our house.  There in the front of the church, was this beautiful scene, much like the one I bought.

The one in front of the little church had an angel over the manger looking down with light streaming all around her.  The staw in the manger was fresh and the little doll representing baby Jesus looked very real to a little five year old girl. 

I remember there was snow falling softly and Christmas carols were playing..people were bringing their children up to see this beautiful Christmas scene.
People stood around quietly..talking in low voices..
I've loved snow and Christmas all of my life from that one night.  It is all connected to my memories of my baby brother..and his very short life.

I remember my mother holding hand and Daddy holding my baby brother..as they told me the story of Mary and Joseph and how there was no room in the Inn...of course I don't think I understood.  But I listened and understood it was a very special time. 
 I always remembered that night in the snow with my young parents and my baby brother.  We lived in Oregon during the war and it snowed every year.  It was so beautiful...

My parents had such a short time left to be happy with their little family...Christmas is a joyful but melancholy time for me.
I loved the detail in this Nativity set.  I thought the camel was exquisite.  Of course I didn't buy it in a store.  I have waited so many years...and now I have one.  Each year I would look at them..and from time to time I would see them in people's homes....

I banked the background with evergreens and silk hydrangias which have a bit of sparkle...

It's a work in progress as of today...but what fun it was unpacking it and putting it together.


And after nearly 17 years I have NEW CHAIRS!  Yes indeed I do and just in time for the holidays!  Can you see them in the background??   They arrived this morning a 8:15.  My Christmas present to myself I guess.  :)  My old ones were so bad that the side of one of them was coming loose..they had become very rickety and besides...I was just plain sick and tired of them. 
 Some of you probably know exactly what I mean!

So....this is what happened...
Briefly, I was walking through jc Penny's and the next thing I remember is walking out of the store beside my girlfriend with a sales reciept in my purse and the promise of a Wednesday delivery. 
I think I must have blacked out.... :)  I don't remember a thing.

...at home Patient husband took a very deep breath...  bless his heart!  LOVE that man!

Love and hugs,
Mona 


38 comments:

  1. Mona, that is a lovely Nativity set, but your personal memories of your childhood and it's significance to you were so touching. I too will be putting up a Nativity this year. It was bought nearly 20 years ago and not expensive, but like you it held a special meaning to have one. I remembered ones set up outside the church we attended when I was young,even though. Nev had a set in our home then. Even though your memories are bittersweet because of your brother, you have turned sadness into a special memory. Your Nativity brings you much joy and you bring it to us.

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  2. Oh Mona, I so remember those same kind of nativity scenes, I truly love them, they are exactly like what I use to see outside our little church. Yours is so perfect and you have it displayed beautifully. Your story is so heartwarming and your memories are so precious. I have a white ceramic nativity that was my MIL's, I cherish it, but I really love yours. The new chairs are fantastic also. Hugs, Marty

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  3. It is truly beautiful!
    I still haven't found one I like and I don't think I can find one as beautiful as the one You have!

    Have a great day!
    Christer.

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  4. I'm so glad you have the desires of your hear sweetie. If anyone deserves it you do my dear friend.

    The Nativity set is like the ones I remember seein' as a young chicklett. It's quite the treasure as is your little girl memories!

    I can, I can see your beautiful chairs. Seems our husbands know...'if mama ain't happy'.... 'just sayin'... Heeehehehe!!!

    God bless your day beautiful Mona! :o)

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  5. Mona, that is an extraordinarily lovely Nativity set! We have always had a Nativity set as featured part of our Christmas decorations. My sister has the set we grew up with and we have a small set that I love which we got the first year we were married. But your's is gorgeous. Beautiful

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  6. Ohhhh!!! I love it! I have this year my first Nativity set too!!!! My mom brought it from Colombia.

    I love yours! I can wait to see your house this Christmas!!

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  7. I love a pretty nativity set and those chairs are darling my friend. Glad the Hubby was patient.

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  8. Your Nativity is gorgeous! Thank you for sharing your sweet childhood memories.

    Smiles,
    Carol

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  9. Love your sweet stories and memories. And your nativity scene. Your pictures were wonderful! You must have a great camera. Sandie

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  10. Hi Mona
    That is a beautiful nativity scene. My in-laws had one years back and my children loved to look at it under the tree. I really should get one that has separate pieces like yours. I have one that is all one piece and quite small. Not the same effect. Your home is so comfy looking and inviting. I can't wait to see your Christmas decor. Yes, I imagine you do miss your cats. I could never live without one or two or three :-)
    Have a wonderful evening. Hugs, Deb=^..^=x4

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  11. Just beautiful Miss Mona...I love my little nativity set...yours is simply amazing!!!!

    Love to you...Happy December~

    xoRebecca

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  12. Oh Mona. The Nativity is one of the prettiest I have seen. I absolutely love the colors.

    I am always elated when I hear about others Christmas memories. Even though yours is melancholy it certainly is a beautiful memory and oh what a beautiful setting.
    Hugs, Sue

    P.S. I completely understand walking out with a receipt for new furniture and having no memory of what happened :) BTW. JCP has great furniture.

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  13. That Nativity is simply grand..so beautiful, it was worth the wait! I love the chairs too. Your home is very lovely and warm and friendly. Such a sweet story but I'm sorry for your loss at such a young age. What a wonderful memory to hold on too, and now a Nativity to keep it alive always.

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  14. Another beautifully poignant post (how tragic that your baby brother died so vert young...your parents must have felt devastated, and it must have been almost incomprehensible to you!), matched perfectly with the most gorgeous photographs. I love your nativity set, beautiful new chairs (so elegant & rich in their deep red fabric) and just everything about your lounge. It looks so cosy, warm and inviting. Really, just perfect! xoxo

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  15. Hi Mona,
    Your nativity set is wonderful. Especially the camel, I really love it. Most of all I appreciate you telling the memories of that Christmas when you were a little girl, with your baby brother. The heart ache you felt is now soft a snow, and as warm as your words, just so precious.
    Happy sitting on your new chairs, they are great.
    Hugs
    Kay

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  16. I remember Christmas when I was a young lad. My Mother had a very beautiful set, simular to the one you are posting today. We put it out each year, cut twigs and greenery and had some little paper houses that we stuck lights in the back and a lite up plastic star with an Angel on it with Angel hair, it also had a light. I thought it was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. Such good memories and you have brought them back. I love your set. Richard from My Old Historic House.

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  17. Your Nativity is beautiful. They are quite expensive now. I believe the chairs must have spoken to you as you were walking by. Sometimes you just gotta do it no matter what. They look very nice in your cozy comfy happy room.

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  18. OH, my DEAR! I just saw all that WIND on the news! I hope you and all you love are safe and well.

    rachel

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  19. You have a beautiful Nativity set, Mona. What a lovely story from when you were little. I am so sorry to hear that your baby brother passed away. How tragic for you and your parents. But he is looking down from heaven and taking care of you each Christmas...
    Your new chairs are lovely too! Actually, your whole room looks beautiful and comfy and cozy. I also love your RED flowered sofa! I love red, it's my favorite color, so I love everything about your room. Enjoy the Nativity set and your new chairs!
    Best,
    Gloria

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