Wednesday, December 17, 2008

TRIM THE TREE THURSDAY

Please check out Brett at The Hostess with the Mostess for a list of the participants of Trim the Tree Thursday. You will find all kinds of glorious Christmas decor!


For my final Trim the Tree Thursday, I would like to show you our Hummel Nativity Set. We cherish this set as a reminder of the ultimate reason for the celebration of Christmas!


Forty years ago this December, Bob went on a business trip to Butte, Montana where he found a wonderful jewelry store with the Hummel Nativity Set displayed. He knew I would love it, and purchased Mary and Baby Jesus for my Christmas present.





Over the years, he has added to it as finances and availability allowed. The first addition was Joseph and then the donkey.

From that point on, I don't remember the order that I received them; but they were all a surprise on Christmas morning. Sometimes, several years would go by before receiving another piece.


A little angel!

A standing shepherd with two attached sheep.

There is also a freestanding lamb.

A kneeling shepherd and a cow.


Three different Christmases I received a King!


And the last piece I received was the camel.





One year, Bob made the stable for me out of willow sticks.



"--- she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn." Luke 2:7 (NIV)


24 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh, Sally, what a beautiful Nativity this is! I love the beautiful details and the faces are lovely. How nice of your hubby to make the little stable - it looks just perfect! Have a good evening, my friend.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

nikkicrumpet said...

The nativity is gorgeous..so many lovely pieces and I love the soft colors...but that willow stable that he made...that is PRICELESS!

imjacobsmom said...

What a precious nativity! It is such a treasure - especially how you received each piece - I adore the stable, too. Merry Christmas Sally! ~ Robyn

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

How beautiful set this is, and what a beautiful story of the gifts that added to the set. laurie

Rattlebridge Farm said...

Loved this wonderful look at your Nativity. This brings back memories of my mother's Nativity. We used to gather around it on Christmas morning and my father would read New Testament, Matthew
1:1-2:23. Luke 1:1-2:40. John 1:1-14.

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

Sally, your nativity is beautiful and I love that he made you the stable. Precious!

Chari at Happy To Design said...

Oh Sally...how special!!! Of course the Nativity set is absolutely beautiful but I think that the "real jewel" is your husband and how he has thoughtfully given you this gift!!! How very sweet!!!

Warmest wishes...Chari

Manuela@A Cultivated Nest said...

He did such marvelous job on that stable! The whole Nativity is just gorgeous!

Manuela

SmilingSally said...

What a beautiful set you have; Bob's stable looks as if it was meant for this special nativity scene. Thanks you for sharing.

Bo said...

Hi Sally...You and your DH have so many love-filled memories together! That stable is nothing short of fabulous...it must have taken him many hours to make it... now that is LOVE! ;-) Bo

Cami @ Creating Myself said...

Your nativity is one of the loveliest I have ever seen! And the handmade stable...PRICELESS!

Anonymous said...

Oh, oh, oh! What an amazing Nativity. I really love it...
Thanks so much for sharing it...

Unknown said...

Sally! This will be a family heirloom! It is so special and beautiful. I love the detail. I don't think I have ever seen a hummel nativity....

~Liz

Anonymous said...

The nativity is beautiful. The gift is amazing. What a wonderful keepsake.

Tootsie said...

what a great family keepsake! it is so beautiful...and holds so many memories for you and your famiy!

Lisa (aka) French said...

Sally this is one of the most beuatiful nativity sets I have ever seen...seriously I love the detail in the faces...thanks for sharing it with us;) French

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

Hi Sally, what a beautiful Nativity. I've never seen a Hummel nativity. It is gorgeous!! The willow stable your husband made is priceless!! What a wonderful gift. hugs ~lynne~

Elaine said...

What a wonderful present. The Nativity is lovely. I just purchased one last year. I looked for years but never found the right one until last year.

Thanks for visiting my blog. Love your comments!

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

GM Sally what a special family keepsake you have there...and for Bob to even made that for you and to add to it each year is just Priceless to say the least...I just love things like that girl!!hope you have a wonderful day dear friend...hugs and smiles Gloria

Carrie said...

I enjoyed seeing your Hummel nativity and hearing of your annual additions.
I have the same set but after adding to it over several years, I still lack one wise man,any camels or the little folk that are additions to the set. I haven't displayed it since 2005, but hope to again next year.

Sue said...

Hi Sally...just stopping by before I get to busy this weekend to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!! Sue.

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

Hi Sally, We just got our lights back on from the ice we had last night. Darling I love ya and I know you love sharing. But we really don't need your snow..lol Guess we're suppose to get blasted by the cold.. 9 above on Sunday and we start the Christmas dinners..Guess you know where all the kids are going to be..lol Hope all is well your way. Stay in and warm.. hugs ~lynne~

bj said...

Oh, this is a beautiful Nativity set...soooo precious how you've received each piece from your sweet Mr.
love, bj

lvroftiques said...

Oh my goodness!! I have seen some beautiful nativity sets displayed this Christmas but yours is by far the most beautiful!! I love hummels!! And have collected a few of them too, but nothing as glorious as this! And the stable your hubby created is perfect! Vanna