Well, I have started bit by bit putting the Christmas decorations up around the house. It is beginning to look alot like Christmas at the Anderson house. Looking through the decorations can bring back many memories. As a child, one of the most favorite parts for me was to set-up our creche. As I look through my decorations, I come across my first nativity, all the figurines were ceramic and done in mother of pearl. I made it in ceramics when I was first married. This creche has been with me now for almost 28 years.
After we brought Carrie home from China, I knew that our family needed a new creche so she would be able to touch it and set it up like I did when I was a child so we purchased a new family creche with figurines made of sturdy wood. A good creche for little hands.
Through the years, I have continued to add to our family creche collection. I have a small handmade one from Mexico and a small hanging nativity ornament from South America both purchased at Green Lake. A special friend gave me a beautiful Mary and Joseph made by Jim Shore as a gift when I graduated with my Masters. That same friend gave me a beautiful nativity scene music box when I became President. I am still looking for an Asian creche in honor of Carrie's heritage and culture that she brings to our family.
Each creche is unique and holds special memories for our family but yet they all tell the same story of the most important event - the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ and that is the reason for the season.
It use to be that you would see the creche in each community, usually somewhere in the center part of the town. It's a shame that most communities have stopped displaying their creches, afraid of offending those who are not believers.
As Christians, we need to tell the story now more than ever. We need to compete with all the TV ads, Christmas specials (that don't tell the story) and more that this time of year has become to remind those around the world the true meaning of Christmas - to celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
So as we set-up the creche in our homes and churches this season, let us remember the creche is the center of it all - it tells the story of that night, how Mary and Joseph traveled by donkey to Bethlehem and because there was no room at the Inn, Mary gave birth in a stable and on that night, our Lord and Savior was born. As Women, Destined for God's Purpose, let us continue to tell the story not just at Christmas but throughout the year.
Blessings until we connect again.
Your Sister in Christ,
Barbara
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