We're not totally grinchy though, we put up some decorations this weekend. Everything but the tree. We don't have a tree, actually - we did a real one last year, and gave away our old fake one. I'm waiting to find a nice pre-lit tree on sale closer to the 25th. I was going to stick to our "Penitential Advent" theme until the 24th, but when I came home Friday, MommaLlama had taken the decorations out of the closet. It's been a rough week, she needed to see something cheerful. So we're pseudo-Christmasy. Actually, I heard on the radio that the Vatican Christmas tree went up last week. So I guess if the pope is ready to decorate then we can too.
We also wanted to set up the nativity because we got our new piece in. The nativity scene was always very important in my family when I was growing up. We had a beautiful porcelain set that my grandmother actually made herself, and it was always displayed prominently. I started a set for us the year we were married. I wanted something very nice, heirloom quality. I chose Lenox "China Jewels". I started with just the holy family and a shepherd, and have added a new piece or two every year since then. Unfortunately, it's been retired this year, so from now on I'll have to buy second hand pieces on eBay to complete the set. I got the donkey this year, he arrived on Friday. My first ever eBay purchase, and actually it was fairly priced and in excellent condition. I have all the important pieces, but there are a few more animals out there I would like to have. You should see the elephant (presumably ridden by one of the Magi). It's enormous and intricately detailed and has a lot of colorful decoration on the saddle. I should have bought it when I saw it in a store in 2000, but it seemed out of place with our small collection. Now it's going for about $350 on eBay. Yikes.
Here are a few photos, per Nicole's request. This is the whole set.
This is a close-up of our 2007 addition, the donkey. He was actually mentioned in the bible, if you're a stickler for historical accuracy.
These are two of my favorite pieces, the standing camel (2005) and the palm tree (2004). There's also a kneeling camel that I want to add someday.
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4 comments:
I don't know that song. And you should share pictures of your Nativity set. We have a set given to us by my Godmother that her godmother gave to her. It is okay, but I don't love it. I would like to get a nice one someday.
Beautiful! Thanks for indulging me. ;)
I DON'T like Christmas Shoes and I feel guilty not liking it. It's on par with that other song about some guy on an airplane talking about the Bible to a non-believer. I guess I don't like songs that pound a story into your head.
So pretty!! I had forgotten how pretty they were and now that I remember I want to steal it. I love that this is a tradition that you can keep adding to for years.
I collect Nativity sets but all I have are little ones. I really want a nice one about that size that I can lay out on our piano.
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