a humble nativity scene

this time of year

i usually am on a shopping high.

i love decorating our home for Christmas & therefore

love to buy new goodies.

i always buy some new ornaments.

 maybe some new christmas dishes.

i think i've bought a new stocking for decoration the last 5 years.

bottle brush trees & little glittered village houses.

the list goes on.

this year i simplified.

really simplified.

i've purchased no new ornaments, no bright & shiney balls

no new target dishes or pottery barn glasses.

nothing.

but a few weeks ago

ruth ,wonderful proprietor of The Beautiful Life

listed this nativity

once i read the story

i couldn't order it fast enough.

part of the cost of this nativity

would go towards purchasing a new sewing machine

for a woman in Uganda.

thus helping her support her family.

part of the money would go a young college student

towards his or her college fund

or to support their family.

 

when i saw the images

of these beautiful people

painstakingly crafting these nativity scenes

out of basically nothing

i was blown away.

tears

just tears....

as i thought what a reminder of exactly what the nativity is all about.

that Jesus

was born

in a humble stable

dirty smelly stable

for all

for everyone.

not just upper white class folks in what would one day be America.

everyone

every man &

every woman

rich or poor.

i waited anxiously for this package to arrive.

i think i'm keeping it out all year.

it's not my usual choice of white , glittery or shiney

but honestly

i think it is

 however

the most gorgeous nativity scene

i've ever seen.

i texted ruth & reminded her that i was

finally running this post.

don't hate me

but they're sold out.

which is awesome for the people in Uganda!

( i think she sold 50!)

but i still wanted to share it with you...

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field,

keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them,

and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold,

 I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour,

which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you;

Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes,

 lying in a manger.

& suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest,

 and on earth peace,

good will toward men

luke 2.8-14