Peru

 

Tiny hand blown Nativity from Peru. I also have a larger version of the same design. This one is very delicate and small.

Unknown

 

These are just some sweet pieces of jewelry, and they are probably from China. The second piece and the bracelet are both enamel on metal, and the top one is all gilded metal.  

USA, Texas

This beautiful painting was commissioned by my daughter Clarissa from her friend Brandy Davis. Brandy is native American and is from the Lipan Apache Band of Texas. At the time of painting the image, Brandy was living in Nampa, Idaho. The Nativity scene is hand painted on two turkey feathers, of which Brandy says she has an abundance. 

July 2, 2023

Clarissa and her family had been living away from Arizona for 10 years at the time. They were coming to Arizona for the baptism of their youngest daughter, Remi, and for a little vacation, as I understood it at the time. They arrived on a Sunday at my house for lunch before going on to Logan's brother's house for dinner. (Logan is Clarissa's husband.) Clarissa gave me a very securely wrapped gift, "for my birthday," which was not for 28 more days. I made the comment that the box wasn't big enough for a house. After I opened the gift and admired it, she responded, "So I got you a birthday present, because we're not going to be here for your birthday. Maybe tomorow we could see our new house." That was how she told us that they were moving back to Arizona. They had actually arrived the day before. Everything was already sold and done. So it was no longer "going to move," but they had moved all without us knowing or needing our help.  I was very excited and happy, crying tears of joy.

Unknown

 

These two small Nativities were given to me, and I'm really not sure where they are from, but they are heavy for small pieces of glass; therefore, I think they are lead crystal, and very good crystal comes from Austria, Ireland, and the USA, and really many places. There you go. 

United Kingdom, England

 

Two dimentional paper Nativity card made in England. 

Poland

I have had the hardest time with this set. For some reason I had it in my mind that it was from the Ukraine. I had to go back and check my records of purchases and found that it is actually from Poland, mailed to me directly from Krakow, Poland. I'm so glad I was able to find a record and to get it right. The little peg people are so cute. The shepherd is holding a lamb. All of the pieces are painted in great detail.

(L09.B143.R753.)
 

Spain

 

Given to me by my grandson, Brian Jones Jr. He was serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Brian was serving in Madrid, Spain when I asked him to buy me a Nativity. He sent me several pictures of sets that he found and asked me to choose one. I told him that I couldn't choose and would he choose one for me. This is the one he chose. I love it. He said the building in the background is a castle that is there, but I have a feeling it is a Basilica. A Basilica is a Catholic building similar to a cathedral given special acknowledgement by the Pope.

(L12.B.R.)

Guatemala

 

This Nativity is from Guatemala, but I purchased it in Washington DC at the gift shop at The Basilica of the National Shrine of Immaculate Conception. That's a long name, but it fits, being the largest basilica in North America. Samuel and I were in DC for a Native American conference. We were there for 5 days, and I didn't want to waste anytime, so I toured around by myself on the Monday and Tuesday that were conference days. I had a great missionary experience while there. I took a tour of the basilica. The guide asked if there was anyone there that was not Catholic, and I said that I was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. We had a lovely tour that lasted an hour. When it was done, I walked back with the guide to the starting place which was by the gift shop. On the way, she started to say to me, "I understand The Church of Latter Day Saints..." I said, "We are the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints." She then continued, "Oh yes. Do you believe Jesus was a Prophet?" I responded something like this: "Oh no, we believe just as you do that He is the literal Son of God, that he was born of Mary, a Virgin, conceived through the Holy Spirit." She asked, "Well then, what is the difference in our religions?" I didn't really have time to get into all the differences, and I was at her house of worship and wanted to respect that. I said, "I don't think there are too many differences. Perhaps the biggest difference is that we believe when Jesus was talking to Peter about how Peter knew that Jesus was the Son of God, Jesus said 'It is upon this rock I will build my church.' We believe what Jesus was referring to as 'the rock' was revelation." She was very sweet and responded, "Oh, I can see that."   

Jesus referred himself as a Prophet and many other names, but I think that I answered her question the way it needed answering at the time. I long for missionary experiences and am grateful I said who I am when given the opportunity.

Cuba

This is a postage stamp that I bought as a poster. I loved it so much and love that I could find a lovely image from a communist country, where the people are allowed to worship as Christians. I love the frame I found, and it matches it perfectly.

(L13.B.R) 

Germany, Breisach

These are very small pyramids from Greisach, Germany. Samuel and I went there on a Viking River Cruise with many dear friends of ours. This was the first place we stopped and the first gift shop I walked into. The store was full of Nativities, but I thought that I really didn't need to buy all of them or even the first ones I saw, but I couldn't resist buying some. I bought 20 ornaments to give at Christmas and this small pyramid. My ability to resist isn't very strong.

 

This is the group we traveled with. From the top: Lee and Debbie Clegg, Samuel, Brent and Loraine Jameson, me, Richard Ray, hand on Ann Ray, Julie and Dave Curtis, and Mark and Alonna Randall. It was a once in a lifetime trip for Samuel and I, and we loved every minute.

Unknown

 

If anyone ever figures out where some of these sets are from, I welcome the information.

France, Strasbourg

I bought this piece of lace in Strasbourg, but it had a maker's mark on it stating it was made in Germany. Strasbourg is very close to Germany, and therefore it has been conquered several times by Germany. Our tour guide told us that her mother said the following: "I was born French"... then during WWI the Germans took over, and she was then forced to be German. She had to speak German, and she had to change her name to a German one. Even the names of the streets were changed to German names. The French were liberated, and everything went back to French. Then WWII happened, and the Germans ruled again, and everything reverted to German. France was again liberated, and they all went back to French. She said her mother now says that she is European, not French or German.

Europe somewhere

I'm certain this Nativity is from somewhere in Europe. It is so sweet, and each little flower opens up to reveal some sort of gift as in an advent calendar. This one may be from Prague.

Czech, Prague

 

Another sweet paper Nativity. This one is from Prague, Czech Republic I believe. The translation on the paper states it is a Prague Nativity scene.

Kenya

 

Wood carving from Kenya. It is about 8 inches tall.

Germany

When we were in Germany and France, we saw a lot of these cute dolls. They are called "smokers," because you can put a piece of incense in them for burning, and the smoke comes out their mouths. Most of the dolls also have a pipe. I thought they were so cute, but I couldn't find the perfect one, so I did not buy one while there. When I got home, I just couldn't stop thinking about them, so I searched and found this cute guy. In the picture that advertised him, it called him a Christmas decoration salesman. The picture did not show what he sold, but I took a chance anyway and bought it. To my surprise and delight he sells a Nativity. How perfect.

Netherlands, Amsterdam

 

I bought this matchbox-size scene in Amsterdam, Netherlands at the Church in the Attic Gift Shop. There was a time in the Netherlands that the only recognized religion was Protestant.  As a result, if you were another religion and wanted to stay that religion, you had to hide. A family lent their "attic" space to be used as a Catholic Church. The first 3 or 4 floors of the house were the home of the people that lived there, and the next 3 floors were the church. It was pretty amazing. The house was maybe 20 feet wide but 7 stories tall. We counted 12 staircases. Below is a picture of the chapel. You can see the entire width of the house in this picture and all 3 floors.

France, Strasbourg

 

Strasbourg, France is famous for their nesting storks, so while visiting there I had to find a Nativity with a stork in it. I love this little pewter set. The baby Jesus is so big compared in size to Mary and Joseph. Below is a photo of the nesting storks. The legend is, if you set out a sugar cube at night, the stork will come and take it and leave you a baby.

 I also bought this very tiny hand-painted set made of metal. The pieces are less than an inch tall and very detailed.

Greece

Two more paper Nativities. These two are from Greece.

(L09.B.R5.)
 

USA, Arizona

My sweet grandkids. This Nativity is made by gluing photos to acrylic and then laser cutting out the shapes to absolute perfection. I had this set made for Samuel as a Christmas gift. The story that follows is the reason: Samuel and I had moved from our big property in Tempe to a much smaller condo in Chandler. We had plans to not have so much work. The large property was expensive, and I think I was a little tired of keeping it looking pristine or at least up to my standards. About a year after we moved, Samuel's father had a stroke. It was a very bad one, and Samuel's mother really needed added support from him, so we offered to move her and Jack to an apartment closer to us. The apartment was about a mile away from us. Well, Samuel helped like that for several months, and we realized that we really needed to be closer, so we placed our condo for sale and moved to an apartment in the same complex so that Samuel would be closer and more available. At that point all of our personal decorations were in storage, and we had no decorations for Christmas, so I came up with this idea. It took me a month to create, and I chose to make the creche out of a moving box. It is really the perfect representation of what we were all going through. In spite of all the sacrifices, we were surrounded by family and surviving nicely. All of our grandkids are featured except the one that was not born yet. 

 

Germany

 

The paper pop-up Nativity is from West Germany and was printed in 1962.

(L09.B.R02.)

Czech Republic

 

Though this paper Nativity does not have a date on it, it appears to be printed in the late 60's. I have several of these sets, and that is when they were popular. This one was printed in Czechoslovakia, now known as The Czech Republic. These sets are so sweet. They present as a large card, and when the card is opened, a large and very detailed scene pops up.

(L09.B.R02.)

Australia, Christmas Island

Postage stamps from Christmas Island. Christmas Island is a territory of Australia.

(L09.B.R.)

Cook Island

Stamps from the Cook Islands. The Cook Islands is a nation in the South Pacific with political links to New Zealand. Its 15 islands are scattered over a vast area. The largest island, Rarotonga, is home to rugged mountains and Avarua, the national capital. Side-note: my uncle, Carl Ollerton, served a 3 year mission to the Cook Islands in 1955 returning home in 1958. 

USA, Arizona

This beautiful paper cutting was done by a woman that contacted me about the Nativity display. She was from Mesa, Arizona and was familiar with the display at the VC. She asked if I would be interested in displaying one of her paper cuttings. I said that I would, and this is what she sent me. In the end, she offered it to me to keep. The technique of cutting paper is German and is called Scherenschnette. I am very grateful for the beauty and talents of others around me. By Debbie Greenley

(L04.B999.R001)

USA, Pennsylvania

Prints from artist Diane Duda of Pennsylvania. On her website these are referred to as drawings. From her website:

"I am a self-taught artist who has found modest success and much happiness creating my 'silly little works of art.' I did not discover my artistic talents until sometime around my 40th birthday, and I am so happy to finally be doing something I love."

She is doing a great job doing something that others love too.

(L09.B.R.51.)