Happy Christmas Everyone.

Photo Copyright: Maggie May

Last year, Denise from Mrs Nesbitt's Space, sent me the pattern for this Nativity and because it was nearly Christmas when I received it, I only managed to finish Mary, Joseph and Jesus. I went on knitting the rest of the figures though and then just put all the pieces in a bag and forgot about them because Spring had sprung. As this Christmas approached, I decided to get out the pieces again and try to put them together. So here they are. I haven't quite finished the kings though. There always seems so many more important things to do. Maybe they will be finished in time for Epiphany in the New Year. Isn't that the time when the kings are noted for their arrival?

Although I will try and visit other people's blogs, I am going to be really busy with last minute Christmas rush and my daughter and grandsons' visit and babysitting the girls, so I might not get another post out before Christmas. So I want to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Happy and Blessed Christmas.

The Time to Celebrate

Photos Copyright: Maggie May

I can't believe that a whole week has passed since I last wrote a post. Whatever have I been doing?

Well.....I have been busy with Millie's party, which was a great success.

My friend, Audrey played a huge part in organising it and choosing many of the games.

One game that was a great success was turning a new terracotta plant pot up on end onto a large plate. Then the children take turns to pick up jelly beans or Smarties with a fork and try to get as many in through the small opening as possible while being timed by a timer. This was not an easy task but anything that did make it through the hole in the bottom of the pot could be eaten by the child whose go it was.

Another game was to try to cut a large bar of chocolate with a fork, while being timed and a die was also being rolled all the time by the person whose go it was next. This meant that not many children got to eat much chocolate because they had to move along, but this didn't seem to deter them trying.

They played *Pass the Parcel* and everyone got a prize, so nobody felt left out.

The children, who were mainly aged 7 yrs, did much organising themselves and the party seemed to go without too much effort from grownups and everyone seemed to enjoy it.

This was the first home party that my son had ever been able to have and he now feels he would definitely be able to cope with other ones. (With his team of helpers, of course).

This is also the time of school concerts and today I went to watch Millie in her school production of a musical that represented The Nativity but emphasised the different countries of the world who celebrate it. There were songs from other lands and the children were in different national outfits and there was also an emphasis on World Peace. I have been invited to see another class doing the same thing later today when I will be able to see Audrey's youngest child taking part. I thought Millie's production was magnificent and look forward to seeing the second one because I am sure the different children taking part in the next one will bring out quite different qualities and make it feel as though I am not watching a repeat.

As well as the school activities around Christmastime, I look forward to going to all the Church events. Carol singing and church choirs. However, our weather has taken a real turn for the worse and we are experiencing gales and cold, slashing rain so I think I shall have to miss Carols In The Park.

These are all things that make me feel like celebrating Christmas, so it is a great pity that the outdoor activities will be spoilt. Never mind, there are still plenty of indoor concerts to go to. What gets you in the mood for Christmas?

Happy Christmas

Photos Copyright: Maggie May

Well here we are. I managed to finish knitting Mary, Joseph and Jesus.

I will carry on knitting the rest of the Nativity figures as time allows.

Bristol seems to have a German Market visit our city every year running up to Christmas and we have some lovely stalls selling typical German foods and goods.

I spotted this Nativity on one of my visits to the shopping centre.

My daughter and grandsons managed to come over from the east coast and brave the bad weather.

I am really pleased about this and it is a relief that they got here safely.

We are having very cold weather and there is still snow on the ground and icy pavements.

Wishing you all a very Happy Christmas.

Peace.

Mrs Nesbitt's Nativity

Photo Copyright: Maggie May

I have recently received some knitting patterns to make a nativity set. I first noticed the beautiful figures on Mrs Nesbitt's Space and instantly fell in love with them. Denise has sent me a copy of the pattern and although I have left it too late to knit all of the nativity in time for this Christmas, I am hoping that I will be able to make Mary and baby Jesus at least. I will definitely have all the figures ready for next year.

For the ambitious, there are instructions for making Mary, Joseph and Jesus, three shepherds, three kings and any amount of little sheep.

Do pay her a visit and see these lovely figures as well as her great blog.

Gift and Nativities

I went to the school today to watch the second of the Nativities that my granddaughters were in and when I got back, there was a parcel waiting for me in the porch. On opening it, I found it contained two hand knitted face cloths made from bamboo and a bar of lovely rose soap. This was from my friend Michelle who lives in New Zealand, Mickle's Pickle

I was thrilled to bits and will thank her personally by email.

I am amazed that knitting wool can be made from bamboo! I will be cooling my fevered brow with them soon Michelle.

Such a thoughtful thing to do.

Photos copyright: Maggie May

Nativities have changed considerably these days with bits and pieces added on here and there. This scene was about busy bakers at Christmas time making all the Christmas puddings and cakes. It was a lovely play and eventually the Nativity did come into it in the end.

The other granddaughter was a sheep racing around the shepherd's legs as they were visited by the angel.

It is marvellous to go to these Nativities. I wouldn't normally miss them for the world. I was so pleased that I didn't have to this year because of illness and hospital appointments.

The Reason For The Season

Lets make Jesus the reason ...... for the season. 

It is easy to forget the real reason that we celebrate Christmas. It has become an eating  and drinking binge and an orgy of shopping and spending more than we can really afford, that sometimes means struggling to pay back during the next year. 

The early Christians hijacked the day from a pagan festival and made it into their celebration of Jesus' birth. Now we are having the true meaning of Christmas taken away from us by all manner of things....... political correctness, and all the many things the media throw at us because that is what they think we want and need.

I have enjoyed watching my granddaughters in their nativity plays at school. The Inn keeper and the shepherds and even the kings, who obviously wouldn't have got to see Jesus for another two years, if you think about it.

The Carols by Candlelight service at Church has now taken place and we look forward to going to Church on Christmas Day with our grandsons who will be staying with us.

These are all meaningful things to Harry and me. Of course, the other things, the traditions of Christmas are enjoyable too and we enjoy a good Christmas dinner the same as any one else. It is also good to give and receive presents and family seem to be an important part of Christmas too.

It is my observation from reading other blogs, noting comments on mine and listening to the local radio, that there is a yearning for spirituality that the "Powers That Be" are not aware of. In the end, people are sensible enough to draw their own conclusions and generally do not want to change Christmas for "Winter Holiday", nor does the average person want to be told what to think or believe.

Whatever your personal view on faith, I wish you all peace and joy during this Christmas season. Happy Christmas from all of us!

This hand made nativity set is a "family heirloom" that is practically falling to pieces. It was made quite a long time ago but I haven't the heart to bin it.

Its That Time Of Year Again.

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

 

For some reason we seem to keep this card from year to year and it always turns up somewhere or other in the Christmas displays of cards.

This little, rather tacky Nativity model was bought recently from a charity shop at a very cheap price.

The reason that I bought it was because I thought that my granddaughters would ask me questions about it and I could then explain who the characters were. I thought it would appeal to small children more than the traditional picture above.

Having been brought up for their first few years in Japan, they are officially Shinto/Buddhist.

This is because they were born over there and they have inherited this religion. It's more of a tradition than a personal belief, though.

It has turned out that there was no need for me to have to explain anything about the little figures, because school is teaching them about Christianity already.

I was really pleased when Amber, the oldest granddaughter, told me that she believed that Jesus had died for her and that he is now in Heaven. She explained everything to me in great detail.

I was amazed because I didn't think that state schools still taught Christianity, as the one they go to is not a Church School. Well, after all it is Christmas, so why shouldn't they be taught what Christianity is about?

Maybe the other religions will get a look in later on........ I don't know, but for now, I am pleased that the school has started the ball rolling.

Millie the youngest granddaughter took one look and said,"Oh no, that is so embarrassing."

As we thought this was a rather unusual thing for a four year old to say, we asked her what she meant.

"There are too many people in the house, there are only mean to be three!" So obviously she also has been taught about the fact that Mary and Joseph and baby Jesus were in the stable.

My Grandsons are already Christian, the oldest by choice and the younger one is thinking about taking a step further. They are familiar with Church and go regularly.

In the end, it has to be a personal decision. It is my belief though, that if children don't know what the faith is about, they can't make a decision and that would be a great pity, I think. 

This post and photography is for Photostory Friday, hosted by Cicely and MamaGeek.