Each of my nativity sets holds a special place in my heart, but I’m especially fond of these figures hand made in Puerto Rico:

In the Puerto Rican culture, these are called Santos.  Mr. Maui Stamper and I were in San Juan many years ago, and I looked at a lot of Santos before choosing mine.

The Magi were the hardest for me to select.  There were so many colors and postures, and if you know me at all, you know I have a terrible time narrowing things down.  I’m sure the people in the small shop wondered what I was doing, turning all the Magi this way and that.

This trio finally persuaded me that they should come home with me.

The faces on the ox and the ass look so patient, and I fell in love with the horns on the ox – they were part of the set and there was no doubt in my mind that they belonged!

This is one of the few Nativities that I have where the baby Jesus is actually proportional to his mother.  The faces on Mary and Joseph are so serious, although I think that’s because these are relatively small, simply carved figures – there isn’t a lot of room for expression.

Displaying and sharing these simple scenes from all parts of the worlds helps to remind me of the universality of faith.  There are so many ways we are different, but the belief in a loving and merciful God transcends those differences.  When it seems that we just can’t get along, that peace is impossible, I remember that one Child changed the world.

Peace be to you and to yours this Christmas.

For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.  And this shall be a sign unto you: You shall find the baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.                   Luke 2:11-12