The Nativity...1954

I was 6 years old when my Mum brought home the little Nativity set. We were living in Panama, and it was Christmas 1954. The little Nativity had a cardboard stable, and little plastic figurines. There was a little bit of straw on the cardboard roof, to represent a thatched roof. I was enthralled.

From that moment until I had children of my own, this was the only Nativity set I ever owned. Each year, I was responsible for setting the up little stable. I took such pride in that I always tried to place Mary looking straight down into the face of baby Jesus. Joseph was always towards her back as though he was offering support. Every year, I would do something different with the shepherds, kings, and animals. One year I made snow out of cotton balls. Every year, I tried different lighting effects such as the use of a flashlight. One year I made the mistake of using a candle and almost burned everything up. My Mum came to the rescue with a glass of water.

For my entire life, up until I no longer had children living at home, this little Nativity set was the only one we ever used. Over time, the color started to come off of the little plastic figures, the cardboard stable was held together with tape, and I tried to replace the roof straw with grass. Over the years, the job of setting up the Nativity was given to Wendy. I remember that she took as much time setting up the little cardboard stable as I did as a little girl. Setting up, this little Nativity set was one of the hi-lights of my life growing up. Watching Wendy take the same tender care became the hi-light of my Christmas's as an adult.

There is a sad ending to the little plastic Nativity set. I have no idea what ever became of it. After almost 50 years, it just disappeared. This knowledge continues to bring tears to my eyes. The little Nativity was not only a part of our family tradition, for me it represented Christmas.