Our Nativity Tradition

Growing up we had a tradition during Advent season. My parents have continued this tradition even as we've grown, moved away and grandkids have come into the picture, with some slight tweaks. Four Sunday's before Christmas we would start to place the figures in the Nativity. My parent's nativity set is a china set and we've not lost a piece in 30+ years, despite the youngest grandkiddo tossing Baby Jesus like a bowling ball this year. It wasn't his first tumble and it won't be the last, I'm sure. My dad would read the passages from the Bible and we would have to listen carefully to see what shepherd, wise man or Baby Jesus would appear next. We would light one of the four Advent candles on week one, light two on week two, etc. At the end of each week we would stand together and hold hands while we prayed. This is one of the few times I remember each year of praying as a family. Mom and Dad would pray with us but it was rare for all of us to do this together. Of course when you're a kid you really want to ask God to have Santa bring you everything on your list. Even then it seems like maybe this isn't what prayer is intended for. :) During the prayer one cat or another might try to join the scene and snuggle the figurines while our attention was diverted. These are traditions in our house.

After I moved to the Deep South my parents still worked to include me in this tradition, even using Skype one year so that I could be with my family during my first Christmas alone. It totally reminded me of that How I Met Your Mother episode where Marshall is skyped into Thanksgiving... Some years we've done the Nativity early or all at once depending on when everyone is home. DH and I are continuing this tradition in our own household.

We tend to put up the nativity all at once and we don't light Advent candles, but on Christmas Eve before we go to sleep he will read the passages of the Bible that tell the story of Jesus' birth. This year we're hosting an out of town Nativity member.

Hey, even Jamacian roosters need someplace to be at Christmas!