My sweet friend, Ramona, shared this story with me. This is perfect! It was well worth the time it took to listen to it. Of course I was in a puddle of tears while I watched. This is absolutely beautiful. I appreciate the story of Joseph, Mary, and Christ "being real." It connected deeply with me and was so refreshing to hear:
"The reason I came, the reason I was sent was to be real, to feel everything you've felt, to know everything you need because I needed it too, to hurt like you hurt, to cry like you've cried, laugh like you've laughed, skin my knee like you've skinned your knee, and have my heart broken like your heart has been broken. I came so that one day or one winter night, when you come face to face with your defeat, your moment of absolute need, you can say, 'You know this too. Be with me and lead me through it.' And I will." - Baby Jesus (A Walk One Winter Night - by, Al Andrews)
(This year for our Christmas Eve book, I've purchased a favorite of mine for 20 years, "The Tale of Three Trees" by, Angela Elwell Hunt.)
Next Christmas Eve, this book Ramona showed me will be the book I buy for my family.
Since this is a story about a Nativity scene, these are a few from my home and from the past:
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| Our traditional family Luke 2 reading on Christmas Eve with my siblings. Guess which one is me? |
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| Me with my Joseph 2013 |
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| Miriam sculpted and painted this cute little nativity out of polymer clay. |
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| Nativity Kaylee made in her primary class. |
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| Micah's popsicle stick nativity. |
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| My cousin Elizabeth (Liz) has made me a couple of these. Kaylee's middle name is Elizabeth, named after my beautiful cousin and my dad's mother (it was her middle name). |
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| Our olive wood nativity we bought in the streets of Bethlehem 2007. |
To close this post, enjoy this song that goes with the book.
Nichole Nordeman "REAL."
Again, thank you, Ramona! This one will definitely join my list of favorites.
Merry Christmas!!
Keepin' it Real!
Keepin' it Real!
-Alicia
