This exquisitely made Holy Family Statue
consists of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. The Holy Family Statue is made out of resin and is painted to give it a unique antiqued look. Joseph stands over Mary and baby Jesus with a staff and lantern in hand. Mary kneels gazing at Jesus in her arms. Joseph wears a light steel blue robe with a khaki colored cape. Mary has a red orange gown and corn flower blue sheath on, along with an ivory colored shawl over her head. Baby Jesus has brown hair and is wrapped in a light blue blanket.
Select this link to view our fabulous Nativity Figurines.
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.
Select this link to view our Christmas Nativity Scene.
Candles.
Man has been using candles since 3000 B.C. The ancients used them to prolong the day. Candles became a symbol of expressing joy. The Romans exchanged glowing tapers as expressions of goodwill and affection. The use of candles for Christmas celebrations was absorbed into the symbol of Jesus as the light of the World, and as a symbol of everlasting life.
The tradition of putting candles in the windows comes from Ireland. When Christianity was suppressed in Ireland, the priest had to travel secretly, through the night, to visit his parishioners. Irish Christians left their doors unlocked and candles in the windows to show the priests where there was a friendly place to stay and to guide them through the dark night. When the English authorities questioned the people, they explained that the candles were for Mary and Joseph.
Christmas Cards The very modern tradition evolved from English school boys in the early 1800’s. They would send Christmas pieces or greetings to their parents. They were written on decorated sheets to show off their progress in composition and penmanship. In 1842 William Egley tried to make a commercial success of Christmas cards but failed to arouse any interest. In 1847, Sir Henry Cole commissioned J.C. Horsely to make a card. There was little interest at first, but by 1868, it was a common practice in all of England. Louis Prange began the public sale of Christmas card in America in 1875.