The Nativity and Mary

Surprise. We are still getting out our Christmas stuff. At least we are having fun doing it. Setting up the Nativity set brings back thoughts Nativity sets in my past. (I love this peaceful set..)

Growing up, every year my mom would get out her set that she bought in Brazil on her mission.
I remember looking at each piece..and we were always to be careful the the Shepard's staff. My mom would always put out the cool Angel Hair.
Early in my mom-hood days, I painted this set at super Saturday. Yes..like all my Super Saturday projects...this one has lots of "character."
I was in the thick of it chasing babies around..trying to keep up with the laundry and make Christmas memories for the kids. Pretty much chaos. By the end of this set's first season all the pieces had fallen over except for the praying Mary. (no matter how many times I would fix it). I would walk past the set and think of the strength of Mary in the thick of a scary...exciting time. She stood out to me in her praying, non-falling down ways.
Another nativity set that has joined our household is the Little People set. It was great because the kiddos could play with the pieces. We had it out last year. Somehow while putting it away last year, Mary didn't get to join her crew. An organized mom would, when finding the misplaced piece, put it away so that we would be able to have the set together. That is not how I roll. Mary has been popping up in the strangest places all year long. I am happy to say that she has been reunited with her family.
I will miss her...and the hints of Christmas she brought me all year long. Maybe I will keep out for another year.