Jane Whitney’s durable nativity has been a teaching tool for generations to grow and endure in the faith.

Jane Whitney writes: “The Nativity set that I most cherish was created by my mother, Rose McKibben, probably in the 1950s. I feel certain that it was first made for her to use in Sunday School as she always taught in an elementary age class. It is made from three-quarter inch thick wood, cut with a band saw around pictures glued to the front. The pieces stand because the bottoms are flat. With this type of construction, children can play with the pieces without the possibility of damage.

This set was in my home every Christmas when I was growing up and placed in a location where her children and later grandchildren could move all the figures while telling of the birth of Jesus. When my mother moved to Florida in 1979 she brought the set with her. At that time she gave it to me. I set it up yearly in my home on the coffee table so my children could act out the wonderful story again and again. Now I put it out so my grandchildren can do the same.

In addition to the manger scene (Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus, the shepherds with their animals, the Three Kings with their camels and an angel) there are pieces depicting Joseph, Mary on their donkey and the innkeeper.

Scripture: Luke 2:15-20

Thought for the Day: “Never a Christmas morning, never the old year ends, but someone thinks of someone old days, old times, old friends.” Floods of memories of Christmases past pour over us even as we mark this special day. Like the shepherds we can praise and thank God for what we have seen and heard.

Prayer: O God, we give You thanks for our families and our friends and for the good times at Christmas we have enjoyed. Help us to add to our treasure chest memories of Christmas 2015 that will warm our hearts for years to come. These things we ask in the name of Our Savior and Lord Jesus, whose birthday we celebrate and whose second coming we await.  Amen.