a simple manger set



a purchase many christmases ago

this manger set graced my parents' home

for their oldest child's first christmas

later the youngest child--me

looked forward to the 'unveiling' each year

i remember carefully unwrapping each figure 

and placing them where i thought best

this became my most cherished christmas responsibility

i was married two days before christmas

so that christmas was not celebrated

in a home of our own

the next christmas we had settled into our first home

time to decorate

the tree and ornaments were easy

but

the manger scene?

mother solved the dilemma for me

she bought a new wooden creche set

and

gave me this simple creche

didn't cost much when bought

but as a little girl i thought it was beautiful

over the years pieces became a bit 'worn'

despite careful handling

but

i cherished them all

still do

it's the only creche i have ever had

each year i carefully unwrap each piece

and place them where i think best

there have been some additions

but no subtractions

this manger scene means the most to me

of all that i have of christmas decorations

for

it's not a decoration

its significance and worth goes much deeper

 representing

the savior who was born in a manger

the christian home in which i grew up

the mother who passed this tradition on

the father who preached the savior's message

but

most of all

love

simple love

manifested in a baby

given to us

by God

so that we might be set free eternally

i rejoice in that love

and

will continue

rejoicing

daily

part of blog carnival on the word rejoice