holiday 2024: a modern nativity

i have vivid childhood memories of helping my Mom decorate for the holidays,

including hanging ropes of tinsel garland in the front windows

then adding single glass ornaments that caused the garland

to dip into points like a jester's festooned collar.

simple, easy, inexpensive elements transformed our little home

into a winter wonderland.

and at the center of it all was the creche, or nativity scene...

yes, this one. like so many other families,

THIS was the nativity scene i grew up with.

it always sat on top of the 'hi fi' stereo console,

with an arrangement of greens and candles

with a few tree ornaments added to make it 'sparkle'.

after i married and had my own home, 

my Mom gave me the nativity set.

my four children grew up with it in our home,

and then our first grandson played with it in our home:

he's two here, and i will never forget hearing his sweet little voice

whispering 'sheepses' and 'baby cheesus' as he played with it.

(he just turned eighteen and he graduates next May...

how quickly the time has flown)

each year, i create a 'new' nativity scene for my decor theme.

i've linked a few of those below this post, 

including the way i used my OLD nativity figures in 2020.

this year, i recreated the simple modern figures

that i first used in 2022...

and to make them fit my theme this year,

i just added in some green props.

continue reading for two different looks...

this simple modern nativity is just two ceramic bud vases

and a tiny ceramic cup - all from the dollar store - 

and some small vintage silk-wrapped ornaments.

two of them serve as heads for Mary & Joseph,

and two tinier ones form Baby Jesus.

i added a small bit of a fuzzy pipe cleaner as a 'halo' on him.

the setting includes the ceramic trees that evoke this year's theme,

and a large green glass serving platter as a backdrop...

the round shape reminds me of the halos seen in paintings

of holy figures from the Renaissance era.

(it's actually my Mom's devilled egg plate from the 70's!)

in another arrangement, i removed the round glass plate

and added in a few of the paper trees that i created this year,

adding even more color and interest to my theme

O Christmas Tree

the simplicity of these figures calms me down,

and makes me think about the real reason for our Christmas celebrations.

it's meditative to me, and that's something i never want to lose -

especially in the 'hustle and bustle' of the holiday season.

my holiday wish for each of you is that you will find

moments of reflection, awareness, and gratitude

for all of the blessings and gifts in your life.

that the lights of a tree in a darkened room

will lift your spirits and move your heart with love.

whatever life looks like for you right now,

i wish you peace - even if just for a few meditative moments.

may your Christmas be filled with blessings and love.

Merry Christmas, everyone!

a few similar nativity scenes from past holiday themes:

2021: sweet sweater holiday 

   2022: gingerbread holiday

2023: terra cotta Christmas

shared online:

funky junk interiors | new upcycle ideas #758

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