Nativities...

...this is one of my favorites...

but mainly because of my darling Lydia...

About 45 years ago, I unknowingly began

a collection of 'nativities' that depict

the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ...

The first one was given to me in 1965 when I was just a young girl...it had parts of that sacred scene printed on 3 sections and placed in a 3-D terrace-like fashion...

I loved it then...and still do...

I didn't add to it until 17 years later in 1982 when I hosted a 'Home Decor' show and bought a beautiful ceramic Nativity made in Taiwan..

I had 3 little tykes and they loved playing with the delicate figurines...they were always very careful & we have had minimal damage in almost 30 years...

This was our 'main' nativity until I made a Nativity advent calendar a couple of years later....

...it is well-worn lovingly used but is still of the kid's favorites...

...my mom added to my collection in 1985 with a lovely all white glazed ceramic of Joseph, Mary & the Christ child...

Since then I have receieved many 'gifts' from loved ones which included a beautiful hand-stitched embroidery from 'Nana'...

My collection has now grown to 60 Nativities that vary from many different styles, materials and different cultures...

My brother, Kenny, brought me several from different countries he visited as a pilot over the years...

Bolivia - Hawaii - Peru - Russia - Prague My children have also 'gifted' many...some from the countries where they served on their missions...

DaNelle - darling tea set & Kevin - 'pesebres' from Argentina...

...Dayla - Chile....Rusty - 'midnight clear' globe...

and Todd & Becky gave me this cool one from Indonesia...

...here are some more of my collection...

...this is a German Nativity Carousel ...

(on left)

..hanging above is a sketching Angie made a few years ago...

...a near life-sized

hand painted nativity...

(on right)

and a sample of my vinyl art...

photographs by Angie

...porcelain nativity with stable...

(top)...engraved scriptures - Phillipines - Old World...

(bottom)...Snowmen - Cowboys - n' Teddybears...

...'Bethlehem Village'...

...random nativities from 'friends'...

...this one is made of white chocolate...

...and here is one from Guadalajara, Mexico...

and finally my front door this year...

Thanks for taking the tour...

Hope you all have a wonderful Christmas!