A Great Way to Spend our Time on the Weekend.

Benjy and I were able to help with the Faces of the Nativity this weekend which is a special holiday season event sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Hundreds of creches, or manger scenes were on display at the Anoka Stake Center in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. On Friday night, Benjy and 6 other "Elders" men from our church had the opportunity to serve as the SECURITY TEAM...from 9 PM to 3 AM. They brought snacks and played some games. Benjy said it was Blast. I am sure they were all tired on Saturday. Then on Saturday night we brought the kiddos to hear the Mormon Chorale sing at the display. It was absolutely beautiful. Our two good friends, Nicole Bator and Janice Anderson were singing in the choir. We then walked through with the girls and it brought tears to my eyes. It was amazing the quiet reverence that you felt just looking at all the different Nativity Scenes.

This picture really doesn't do the entire display any justice. It was mouth dropping, unbelievably beautiful in there and to hear the Christmas music quietly in the background was just so peaceful. I was so bummed that I forgot my camera on Saturday, so I told Benjy that I wanted to go back after church on Sunday just to get some pictures. Funny thing was that Benjy forgot that he signed up to help out on Sunday from noon to 3, so I freely volunteered to do it for him. I couldn't think of a better way to spend the rest of my day and I was so excited!

Here are some of the ones that really touched me. There were 530 different ones. INCREDIBLE!

How does one preserve a chocolate Nativity for 20 years?

I saw this one and said, " Oh, that is a pretty glass one." Wrong... I later heard through the grapevine.... that it is a Waterford Crystal one...estimated at $2,000. Now you know why they took security so seriously at this display. Not only were some valuable monetarily however I think the value was in the meaning behind each Nativity. There were ones from all over the world, Family Heirlooms, treasured gifts and many memorable missionary moments that some represented.

I only displayed 3 out of my 12 Nativities, and I happened to be assigned to the area by mine. The cute little coconut one from Hawaii was in my area and I just loved looking at the detail.Benjy's mom went to the Holy Land almost 2 years ago and brought us back the Holy Family made out of Olive Wood. It is the one in the front on the right hand side. There were a lot made out of Olive Wood.
My dad has started my collection for me. He started giving me a Nativity every year for Christmas nine years ago when I was pregnant with Kaydree. I love them all but thought this one was amazing on display with other ones just like it and especially with this picture behind them. Mine is the back one on the left, furthest away from the picture.
I don't know if these picture touched me so deeply because we have a beautiful baby boy this Christmas season or if it was just the spirit that I felt at this display. I kept looking at this picture throughout the day and just felt overwhelmed with gratitude not only for our little miracle we have been given but especially for the miracle of Eternal life that our Savior has provided for us.
I actually had the thought, I wonder if Our Savior was a sweet little baby? It felt like an odd thought to have but I am just in awe over our sweet little baby. In all reality aren't all babies just so sweet? November started out a little rough with the early arrival of Kyce and ended very tough with the loss of my beloved Uncle Lee. I am so thankful that December started out with celebrating in the true spirit of Christmas...the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. A sign by this also said, " Each of us is an Innkeeper that has to decide if we will make room for Jesus."