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Happy New Year and a Touch of Christmas — 22 Comments

  1. HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY LOVE READING YOUR BLOG POST THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR THOUGHTS WITH US AND DOING IT WITH A GREAT OPEN HEART!
    GENE.

    • Thank you so much, Gene, for your thoughtful comment. I appreciate you stopping by. Happy New Year to you.

      From My Heart to Yours,
      Janis

  2. As a person who creates handmade items I love how much meaning you have found in this set. If the person who made it knew how much it was treasured I am sure she would be so proud. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family, Janis! It is always a joy to read your posts and thoughts.

    And FYI, your set is crocheted not hand knit! To those of use that use those skills there is a big difference.

    • Vicki, thank you for your skilled observation! I have knit but never crocheted anything. And the extent of my knitting skills was to make hanger covers for the old wooden hangers. Are you laughing? Thank you for clearing up the skill displayed in our manger set. I’ve always thought of crocheting as a finer weave than knitting and this seemed a little bulkier, but I do not have the expert eye.
      I’m glad you enjoy my posts. May your family be blessed with health and joy in this New Year and those to come.

      From My Heart to Yours,
      Janis

  3. Among all the treasures of Christmas decorating is the Manger. Through the years I’ve received many different ones as gifts. From nesting figures, to Guatemalan clad ones and of course the treasured ceramic figures. Each one receives a special place of honor. This year as I unpacked my decorations I could not find the traditional ceramic set that reminds me of our childhood . I searched and searched until I found it in its own box tucked on a top shelf away from the other decorations. I admit it stressed me out for a while and when it was found all was settled in my heart. Most anything can be missed but the Nativity is the remembrance of the real reason for such a wonderful Celebration.

    • A beautiful story, Julie, of how God creates treasures in our hearts for moments, memories, and tangible reminders of those times. Yes, finding what seemed lost, especially a prized Nativity, is reason to rejoice and bring peace to our hearts. I’m glad our story reminded you of yours.

      From My Heart to Yours,
      Janis

  4. How wonderful your husband appreciated and loved the crocheted nativity set. I think that’s a true indicator of his kind character and his heart for people!

    • Hi Nancy,
      Thank you for your thoughtful comment. I’ll pass on your thoughtful words to him. He does have a kind heart and a desire to help others out. I’m blessed!

      From My Heart to Yours,
      Janis

  5. I’m glad someone appreciated the love and hard work that went into that nativity set. (I’m sure God did.) How nice that it’s non-breakable, so little hands can play with it. ❤

    • Thank you, Ann, for your appreciation of that woman’s work. I know God appreciated her work and has blessed our family with it for years. Truly, the work of her hands has been honored and appreciated throughout the years.

  6. Janis, this story . . . so beautiful. Two thoughts: one—I leave a small nativity scene out through the year to remind me of Jesus, the story of His birth, and the gift of salvation we received through His death and resurrection. Your story of the crocheted nativity set is so special. Secondly, it reminded me of my mom’s ceramic (or clay?) manger set . . . which we set out each year with great ceremony. We girls got to add a straw to Jesus’ manger. Christmas Eve night, after my sisters and I were tucked into bed, my parents laid the baby Jesus in His resting place. What is so special about this set is that my grandmother made it. It holds a special place in my memory and my heart.

    • Oh, Jeanne, what precious memories to have each year as you set out your mother’s/grandmother’s manger set. And it’s a tangible way to remember Jesus’ birth, death, and resurrection throughout the year. Perhaps, some of our other readers may be inspired to do likewise. Thank you for sharing your Nativity story.

      From My Heart to Yours,
      Janis

  7. What a beautiful nativity set, Janis! And it warms my heart to hear of your husband’s desire to honor the hours of loving labor done on the set, as well as raise money for the nearby seminary. ~Let’s Have Coffee #15

    • Thank you, Lisa, for your thoughtful comment on our Nativity set. I’m so grateful for the Lord’s nudge on hubby’s heart to provide a home for our first manger set. As others have mentioned their family’s sets from childhood, we too used to put out both sets. Now, that older one is tucked away to be passed on to our children.

      From my heart to yours,
      Janis

  8. Happy New Year Janis! I love the story of your humble nativity set! I know there are many elegant sets, but I honestly am drawn to the ones which are not shiny, stunning or ornate. The simplicity of the figures speak to me of Christ’s humble birth more than the delicate porcelain ones.

    • Oh, Donna, thank you so much for your encouraging words about our Nativity set. I have to admit that there were times I sort of wished we had an elaborate one. Then my eye would find its way drifting back to our humble set and my heart would remember how it became ours. I realized nothing could compare to this gift from the Lord.

      From My Heart to Yours,
      Janis

  9. That is a unique and beautiful nativity set, and an interesting story of how it came to belong to you. Visiting from Let’s Have Coffee #22

    • Thank you, Kym, for appreciating our treasured Nativity Set as well. Thank you for taking the time to visit here. I hope to see you again in the New Year.

      From My Heart to Yours,
      Janis

  10. Oh Janis I love this!!! I absolutely loved reading about the story behind your nativity scene. You write so descriptively and beautifully about Tom making sure that it was not only sold but at a fair price, and then how it went on to become such a special place in your family home at Christmas. Just beautiful! Happy Epiphany! ❤️

    • Oh, Jenni,
      Thank you so much for taking the time to put your thoughts so eloquently on my blog. God brings special moments, friends, and things that reveal His love and leading in our lives. This moments was one of those times. And as the years go by, the treasure of this Nativity set and God’s revelation grows deeper in our hearts.
      Happy Epiphany back to you.

      From My Heart to Yours,
      Janis

  11. Happy New Year Janis! What a pretty nativity and I just love this precious story of how it became your families.
    Visiting today from Let’s Have Coffee #19&20

    • Hi Paula, so fun to see you here. Thank you for gracious comment on our Nativity Set. It warms my heart to know it’s blessing others as well. Thank you for stopping by.

      From My Heart to Yours,
      Janis