Several years back, I realized that everything I made, and nearly everything I decorated with during this holiday season were based on the commercial side of Christmas. Now, don't get me long, I still adore Santa Claus, but I wanted my children to see that celebrating the birth of our Savior was what mattered most to me. I knew that I had to throw my heart into a project that would reflect that so I nervously started a nativity scene out of air drying clay and paper mache. Little by little it came to life until it now is my very favorite sculpted project yet. Even though it still isn't finished, whenever I take the time to stop and look at it, I am reminded of all of the feelings that I felt while I worked on it several years ago and the stress of the day melts away.
While I sculpted, I listened to one of my favorite Christmas songs, Mary's Boy Child (a song by Jester Hairston but performed by The Brothers Four). The lyrics, "Trumpets sound and angels sing, listen to what they say, That man will live forever more, Because of Christmas day" were so powerful to me while I worked on my little version of the Christ Child. How grateful I am to him for coming to earth in that humble setting so that someday he could redeem us all and give us reason to hope. Because of him, we have someone to turn to when we are hurting physically or emotionally and can be healed. And only because of him we can pick ourselves up from our mistakes and experience joy in this life and in the next. What a beautiful peace that brings to me! That peace, I imagine, was felt by all who witnessed that little baby in that stable setting on that sacred night of his birth.
"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called, Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."
~Isaiah 9: 6
I hope that you have a wonderful Christmas season and that you feel that same peace and joy that our Savior offers to all who will listen.
Love, Malinda
0
I think I am going to do some sort of gold trip on some of the edges of their clothing, but should I change the colors?
As a mother of three sons, Christmas has taken an even deeper meaning to me and an even greater respect for that strong and trusting mother, Mary. This time of year reminds me that I want to be more like her as I mother my little men.
11 comments:
Wow, beautiful post and that nativity is sooo gorgeous! Hope you and your family have a merry Christmas!
I'm in tears - that was such a sweet post. Thank you for this tender reminder of the true meaning of Christmas. And I've always been in such awe of each of your nativity figurines - as I am with all of your beautiful work! You never cease to amaze me. And you are definitely one of the closest reflections of what I think mother Mary would've been like as a mother.
this is so impressive! I'd love you to add this to my What We Wore and Made link party over at http://raegunwear.blogspot.com
These are wonderful! What amazing detailing. I love their facial expressions. Great job!
Whoa! Those are amazing. Love it. Don't change the color of the wisemen.
This is the most amazing nativity! I am in awe that you made these from paper mache.
How nice. It really is beautiful.
Yes our Savior really is beautiful!
Thanks for sharing. In Christ's Love Rhonda
I just stumbled upon your blog and ended up finding this gorgeous post. You don't happen to sell these? Just stunning!
Do you have a tutorial for these? They are wonderful. I am wondering where you used clay and where you used paper mâché and how you combined them. Thank you!
WISH I KNEW THIS YEARS AGO (The mmache recipe) . THANKS. And your Nativity Scene is inspired!<3
Thanks for sharing the recipes on your blog. Your nativity scene is delightful ! The expression of Mary's heartfelt love radiates! As does your reselling of the old,old, story of God's amazing gift.
Post a Comment