Our 7 piece Tuscan Christmas nativity scenes
include the Holy Family, three Wise Men and a shepherd. The Christmas nativity scenes figurines costumes are resin and draped fabric or fabric mache. The tallest Christmas nativity figurine is 12 inches tall. The shortest figurine is 9 inches. Mary is 9 inches tall. She is kneeling and wearing an antique white gown with a maroon cord at her waist. Her cape is chocolate brown. She has a dark slate gray shawl around her head. Joseph is 11 inches tall. He is wearing an antique, pale azure robe with a light gray cape. He has a maroon, light blue. Beige and black print turban with a long maroon cloth extending below it. He is holding a long staff. The baby Jesus’ manger is 5 inches long and 4 inches wide. It represents a wood manger filled with straw. He is laying on and is covered with, an ivory blanket. The first Wise Man is 12 inches tall. He is wearing a forest green robe with gold trim and a gold sash. He has light salmon colored pants under the robe. His long cape is maroon and has a gold tassel in the back. He has a black, red and white turban topped with a gold crown. The second Wise Man is 11 inches tall. He is wearing a dark blue robe with gold fringe and trim and a gold sash, over a longer, olive green, under garment. His long cape is light salmon. He is wearing a forest green head dress with gold beads. The shepherd is 12 inches tall, including the sheep he is carrying over his shoulders. He is wearing a short midnight blue robe with a brown fur vest. He has an antique white, and red cape over one shoulder. He is also carrying a salmon colored satchel. He has a strip of brown, ivory and blue cloth around his head. Select this link to view our nativity figurines.
Gaspar: Gaspar (also know as Gaspard, Caspar and Jaspar) was said to be the youngest of the three kings following the brilliant star to Bethlehem. But youth is certainly a relative term when we think about the years of life granted by God as recorded in the Bible! According to most written chronicles, Gaspar was about 109 when he set out with his companions to greet the arrival of the Christ child nearly two thousand years ago. Gaspar was a strong, proud king with the weighty titles of “Emperor of the World,” “King of Tharsis” and a number of other, minor titles. Before leaving his homeland to make the Bethlehem pilgrimage, he was said to have lived in such splendor, that he sat only on pillow fashioned of gold embellished tapestry cloth!
Although a man of many kingdoms, Gaspar was also said to be very sentimental. His favorite pastime was chanting the somber songs learned at the knee of his grandfather. And, indeed, he sang the plaintive tunes to the other kings as the three made their journey to the Bethlehem stable. This regal king is most often depicted wearing an elegant turban. Lyric poets have described Gaspar’s headdress as wrapping around his head like a blossom of almond trees. We can imagine that it must have been fashioned of fine silk.
A beautiful vessel of Frankincense was brought to the Christ Child by Gaspar. Writings conclude that this fragrant, African aromatic, known to symbolize prayer, was also laced with gold. Some chronicles include fanciful tales of Gaspar spilling a chest of diamonds before the child.
Many details of the wonder filled journey that culminated in the visitation to the Bethlehem stable are today lost in time. But, scholars seem to agree that this “young” king (who has often been said to symbolize divinity) came to the scene respectful of the senior Magi, Melchior. In deference to the eldest king, Gaspar always stood aside to allow the older man first place before the Child.
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.