Author: Gayle

BONUS NATIVITY: because I was putting it away for another year, here’s the Lego Club Carolina Beach nativity for 2023 (each year looks different)

Today’s nativity has slowly found a place in my heart. Several years ago this nativity caught my mom’s fancy and she bought one for herself and other family members, I made fun of it, because…I was a brash 20something (I might still be). The front of this nativity is a fountain, and 20ish years ago my dog Dodie thought mom’s was a great drinking fountain (my mom didn’t approve). Anyway, this one was given to my grandma, and came to me in 2000. Jesus said let all who are thirsty come and drink. Rivers of living water will flow from within them, from within you. #Day35 #11thdayofChristmas #nativitycollector #crèchenerd

Today’s nativity is the last of my Peanuts nativities. This one is by artist Jim Shore. Funny story of it’s acquisition – several years ago I received info that lego were being given away in Southern Pines, so we took a road trip. The Lego were from the estate of a retired engineer who put together Lego as a hobby (we came home with a carfull). But she also loved Peanuts and this set was there. I inquired on purchasing it (knowing I had very little cha-ching in my pocket). No amount was given and we continued loading Lego and as we were ready to leave the person said “how about $50 for the nativity?” The exact amount I had! (SIDE NOTE: each piece sells The rest of the story

Today’s nativity comes from Gallup NM which is situated between the Navajo and Zuni Indian reservations. This nativity is hand crafted by a native American artisan. And gifted to me by Susie Shovlin This nativity reminds me of a land acknowledgment and the need to honor and remember those whose land we live on. It’s also an acknowledgment of the atrocities that we perpetrated to acquire this place. It’s easy to forget the suffering of those who brought us to where we are… “You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it” is often attributed to the Talmud, I would add neither are we free to forget the past and the history (good, bad, ugly) that got us The rest of the story

Today’s nativity is made of wine corks. Jenn found it at a craft show while I was away one year, I can’t recall the year right now, and gave it as a welcome home gift. We created the tree from gifted wine corks to accompany the nativity that adorns our kitchen window (which just looks into the next room). I chose this nativity for the first day of a brand new year because wine symbolizes life, vitality, joy, blessing, and prosperity. This is my wish for each of you in 2024, life, vitality, JOY, blessings, and prosperity! SIDE NOTE: I love that this nativity is attended by Elbert, my watering can elephant, because you know there were animals there! #day32 #8thDayOfChristmas #nativitycollector #crèchenerd