I collect Nativity scenes. I don’t have an extensive collection, but I do have a much-loved assortment that includes a hand-sewn cloth Nativity that little hands may play with. I also have a treasured olive wood set from my mission trip to Israel in 2000, when my husband and I chaperoned a high school trip that our son went on. My husband and I brought back matching Nativity sets for each of our children, including our then-to-be-born “caboose kiddo,” Christa, who arrived later that year on Christmas Eve.
And then there’s the one tiny Nativity scene I keep out all year-round, perched atop my armoire, right next to my daughter Amy’s origami bridal bouquet. I started the tradition several years ago when a pastor challenged his Christmas Eve congregation — me included — to not pack Christmas away with the ornaments and the Advent wreaths and the snowmen collections. Yes, I have one of those, too.
And so, I display this one reminder of Christmas — or, as my husband reminds the family every year: Christ-mas: the celebration of the Messiah — all year long. It’s a purposeful way to honor Christmas in my heart. A reminder to keep Christmas all the year. I look up as I’m putting clothes away, and I remember that God is Immanuel … God with Us. God with me. Every day. All day long. All year long.
In Your Words: How do you honor Christmas in your heart? What helps you keep it all the year?
[Tweet “In Others’ Words: Keeping #Christmas all the Year #InOthersWords #lifequotes”] [Tweet “”I will honor #Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.” #CharlesDickens “]
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CHRISTMAS GIVEAWAY!
I’m part of a wonderful group called The Grove, with several author-friends … well, we’re more like sisters, really. We’re having a GROVE GIRL CHRISTMAS GIVEAWAY. Go go to this Rafflecopter form to join in the fun for a chance to win these prizes:
- A signed copy of From the Start by Melissa Tagg + a $10 Amazon gift card to find something special just for you.
- Signed copies of The Butterfly and the Violin and A Sparrow in Terezin, both by Kristy Cambron with a beautiful bookmark to hold your place in these great books.
- Signed copy of Where Treetops Glisten by Cara Putman and candy cane ornaments because the heroine makes those in the novel
- Signed copy of Paper Hearts and a hot off the press ARC of Change of Heart, both by Courtney Walsh
- Signed copies of Amish Christmas at North Star and The Art of Losing Yourself, both by Katie Ganshert
- A signed copy of The Bronte Plot, by Katherine Reay
- A signed copy of The Curiosity Keeper, by Sarah Ladd
- A signed copy of Crazy Little Thing Called Love plus an e-novella Can’t Buy Me Love, both by Beth Vogt
[Tweet “Love #Christmas? So do the @theGROVE_story girls. Join their MASSIVE #giveaway. #amreading… http://bit.ly/1OJoqZb”]
Comments 2
I love that you keep out one Nativity set throughout the year. I’ve never thought to do that. Although, now that I think about that, I did this inadvertently this year. My grandmother gave me a ceramic container, with a hinged lid. That lid? It’s Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus. I think I’ll leave it out this year too.
How do I keep Christmas in my heart? I guess I try to show kindness to those I meet each day. I try to be a light to those around me, gracious, extending love and seeking to reflect Jesus. I’m growing in being able to do this more consistently. 🙂
Author
Oh, I love that you might join me in the tradition of keeping a Nativity out all year-round, Jeanne. And I love how you keep Christmas in your heart by showing kindness to others.