A New Week, A New Start and A Nativity

The first of several entries about the good stuff since the start of December, because there has been tons of good stuff!

Taking a lesson from Julie Andrews (we're big fans of The Sound of Music here), let me start at the very beginning. We were all delighted on December 1st by a package that arrived from Kaysea and Gordon. Kaysea is James’ mum’s cousin and she and Gordon are collectively known as “cousins Kaysea and Gordon” to our girls. Once James and I cautiously investigated the package they sent, to ensure that there was nothing there the girls were not supposed to see yet, Ashley and Caitlin delighted in pulling apart the packaging to discover a Nativity Advent Calendar from Pockets of Learning. Ian and Janet (James’ parents) had given the girls a Noak’s Ark from this company, which they enjoy so I had high hopes for this calendar. And it hasn’t disappointed. Ashley and Caitlin are taking turns each morning to remove a little figure from the pocket and place it on the Nativity scene. Of course, they’ve looked at each figure already and carefully returned them to their pockets until it is time to place each one on the Nativity scene.

I am personally delighted to have it in the house. I have been looking out for a good Nativity scene that I hope will be with our family for years. While I’m still looking out for just the right one, we can enjoy the Nativity story through the calendar. I have great memories of admiring and playing with the little Nativity scene our family had when I was a little girl. I loved the slant of the roof on the wooden stable, the small lengths of straw for the animals’ bedding and the empty manger that fascinated me as I waited for Christmas Day to see the baby Jesus placed inside. Ashley and Caitlin really enjoyed learning the Nativity story last Christmas when we were back in Ireland after my Dad’s heart attack. In the lobby of the hospital there was a huge, beautiful Nativity that fascinated the girls and, in my Dad’s ward, there was a smaller, wooden Nativity that enthralled them too. They loved to investigate the scenes each time they visited the hospital and after Christmas morning they raced into the lobby and then upstairs to the ward too see if baby Jesus had indeed been placed in the mangers.

Caitlin and Ashley enjoying the hospital's Nativity scene in Dublin, Ireland 2006

We are all very grateful for this wonderful gift. Thanks you Kaysea and Gordon. We think of you both each day as we use it.