A
Nativity Set
The figures
are all in place, save one. It’s not
really theologically correct because all the familiar pieces are there already and
have been for a couple of weeks. Even
though Mary and Joseph must have been alone for a good while that first
Christmas night until the shepherds made it in from the fields to see the sight
that the angels sang of. And tradition
has it that the Magi did not reach Bethlehem until some time after the birth;
we will celebrate their arrival the Sunday after Christmas. But they are also here kneeling in
anticipation, gifts at the ready.
The animals
are here too. Some sheep scattered
around the shepherds to help with their identification. Two camels – one standing, but another laying
down seeming to rest after a long journey.
The ox lays down also, but the donkey is standing, maybe he wants to be ready
should he be needed again.
The Nativity
set is not valuable. The pieces are
simple plaster cast. They were painted
by Michelle’s Mom. Michelle remembers
watching her mother paint the pieces when she was a little girl. She had a steady hand – not a master’s touch,
but competent. The donkey has a chipped
ear, but otherwise they are in pretty good condition considering that they have
been packed away and brought back out probably over 50 times. They have been boxed up and shipped nearly
cross country and back when we lived in Nevada for three years. You can just angle the donkey a bit and the
broken ear is hardly noticeable.
This Holy
Family doesn’t even have a stable. I
built one for them for our first Christmas together – the Christmas Michelle’s
mother asked if we wanted the set because they didn’t put them out any more and
frankly, we had no money for a set of our own.
We took them gladly. They
connected us to Christmas and to family – a double gift. The stable only survived a couple of years; I
recall that it didn’t survive that move to Nevada. So now we just set the pieces out on a little
cotton blanket of snow. They have been
under the Christmas tree, on the fireplace mantle, on the sofa table. Lately they seem to have found a home on the
third shelf of the armoire. It’s a good spot.
They are high enough to not be at risk of accidental breakage, but low
enough that the grandkids can see and touch them. They aren’t for play and the kids know that,
but no one should be afraid to touch, to hold them, and ponder.
Of course,
the missing piece will be added on Christmas Eve, after we return from
celebrating Mass. I pray that he finds
our hearts prepared and ready. He knows
that we have been waiting anxiously for him – the little plaster pieces and
us. May he feel welcome here. Emmanuel –
God with us.
Peace on
Earth to all hearts of good will,
Deacon Dan
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