Our one piece nativity is 8 inches tall, 7 inches wide and 5.5 inches deep. The one piece nativity depicts the Holy Family in a stone stable with a wood and straw roof. A shepherd with a small lamb has come to see the baby Jesus. There is a tall palm tree, whose leaves are adding cover, in the one piece nativity. Select this link to view our Christmas nativity scene sets.
Mary is wearing a long, pale turquoise, gown, tied at the waist with a gold cord and trimmed in gold. The long, white, gold edged, sleeves of an additional under garment are showing at her wrists. Her head dress is a waist length, medium violet red, cloth with ivory lining, and edged with gold. There is a gold band around her head to hold the head dress secure. The baby Jesus is laying in a straw filled manger with a pink blanket. Joseph is wearing a long sleeved, gold edged gown under a dark coral robe with a gold edged, olive green sash. Hes has a gold edged, dark dodger blue cape around his shoulders. The little shepherd boy is wearing a dodger blue shirt and pants with a black belt around his waist. He has a long, burly wood, fur cape over his shoulders. His is reverently holding his pale coral hat in his hand.
Select this link to view our Christian gift ideas.
Shepherds: Long before man began to write history, shepherds watched the flocks, in the fields, to guard them against wild animals. Sheep generally wandered around from one place to another, through the villages and around them, looking for grass to eat under the care of a shepherd. The raising of sheep was a critical part of the Holy Lands social and agricultural system. They were part of the intricate sacrificial system that governed religious life at the time of Christ’s birth. Often shepherds were children, sometimes groups of children. The shepherd's job was to protect, feed, and provided shelter and direction for their flock. A shepherd would also lay down his life for his flock.
The shepherds of biblical times carried staffs to guide their flocks in times of danger. The staff was also a formidable weapon when the shepherd used it to defend the flock. Shepherd’s also carried a rod that was about a meter long and had a knob on the end. This was used to count the sheep. The shepherd’s daily routine involved calling forth the flock in the
morning. The sheep would actually recognize the shepherd’s voice. He would then watch the flock with the help of dogs, much the same as shepherds today do. If any sheep would stray the shepherd would follow it until it was brought back to the flock. He would also provide the flock with water either by leading them to a stream or at troughs attached to wells.
In the evening, the shepherd would call the flock back to the sheepfold. A sheepfold is an enclosure or pen for sheep. Usually the walls of the sheepfold were made of stone. As the shepherd led the sheep back to the fold, he would count them to make sure that all had returned. He would count them by having them pass under his rod. During the evening the shepherd would watch the entrance to the fold to ensure that none of the flock would be endangered.
Sheep are an important part of the economy of the Mediterranean, Europe, and Western Asia even today. Sheep are among the most important animals that man has tamed. They provide both food and clothing. Tapestries for walls, and carpets for floors, and blankets, are also made from sheep’s wool. They also furnish raw materials such as glue, tallow, suet, soap, fertilizer, cosmetics and the catgut used in stringing tennis rackets.
The Christmas Rose: Christmas Rose is an English plant that is regarded as a true Christmas flower. It is sometimes called the Snow or Winter Rose. It blooms in the depths of winter in the mountains of Central Europe. Legend links it with the birth of Christ and a modest shepherd maiden named Madelon. As Madelon tended her sheep one cold and wintry night, wise men and other shepherds passed by the snow-covered field, where she was, with their gifts for the Christ Child. The wise men carried the rich gifts of gold, myrrh and frankincense and the shepherds, fruits, honey and doves. Poor Madelon began to weep at the thought of having nothing to offer, not even a simple flower for the Newborn King, as she was very poor indeed. And as she stood there weeping, an angel saw her sorrow, and brushed aside the snow at her feet to reveal a most beautiful white flower tipped with pink, the Christmas rose.