This ornament is about 4¾ inches tall and 3 inches wide. Joseph is standing and Mary is kneeling tenderly beside the Baby’s crib which rests under a gold and silver scrolled archway. Mary is dressed in a silver gown with a yellow gold mantle on her head and an antique cape and Joseph is wearing an antique robe under a yellow gold cape. The Baby is covered with a yellow gold blanket. Select this link to view our Nativity Ornaments.
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. Select this link to view our Nativity Christmas Ornaments.
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. Select this link to view our Nativity Ornament Sets.
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. Select this link to view our Santa with Baby Jesus Ornament.
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 Baby with Holy Mother.