Nativity Set 13

 Some people will be alone this Christmas Eve. I remember when living in Dubuque, that Burton was doing an Interim in the NE corner of Iowa. He needed to stay overnight to lead Christmas Day services, but he had no place to stay. No places were open to eat. He crossed over into Wisconsin to find something to eat and a motel. Meanwhile I was alone in Dubuque. There was too much snow in our driveway for me to get out. I probably could have called someone but "didn't want to bother anyone."  Even when we are alone, we are loved.

Nativity Set 12

The incoming administration plans to allow ICE to enter schools and houses of worship to arrest people and deport them. What about Sanctuary?  What about the safety of immigrants and refugees? The Christ child was a refugee. "An angel appeared to Joseph saying, "Get up, take the child and his mother and flee to Egypt." (Mt. 2:13)

 

Nativity Set 11

 With the Light of Christ, we are invited to celebrate.  May the Christ Child bless you.

Nativity Set 10

 All are welcome. Come to the manger.

Nativity set 9

 Some years ago when we were living in New Haven, Ct., a young couple knocked on our door on Christmas Eve. She was pregnant, but the hospital, two blocks away, did not admit her--too soon they thought. The couple, members of our congregation, lived miles away. So they stayed the night in our parsonage with us. No she didn't give birth that night, but listen to who might be at your door on a snowy night far from home. 

Nativity Set 8

 I love this nativity set. It's from Africa. (All the pieces fit inside the stable when we put them away for another year.)

Nativity set 7

 We have nativity sets everywhere in the house. Christ is everywhere in our lives.

Nativity set # 6

 Our nativity sets come from all over the world. Christ came for all peoples.

Manger Set 5

 Angels we have heard! This sits on our Kitchen counter.

Trump's leadership picks

 Are any of the new administration's appointments for leadership wise? I mean, Kari Lake for director of Voice of America? Think how the world sees us. Think what these choices are going to mean for our self-identity, our safety and for the safety of the world.

Manger Set 4

 Son Kirk made this manger set in an after school church program when he was young. We teach children not only to want toys, but to participate in anticipating Christmas and making things to give to others.

Manger Set 3

Of all the books in the world, the Bible tells the story of the nativity of our Lord.