Due to a run-in with a curling iron I’m dealing with this:
Which means my left hand looks like this:
I’m thinking until this heals that posts will be photo heavy or possibly non-existent (my parents are here through Tuesday as well*). Typing with only the ring and pinky fingers of my right hand is really cumbersome and slow.
The nativity exhibit was beautiful as I expected it would be. I’ll be sad when we move away from Dallas and this isn’t available to us anymore. I love all of the many wonderful ways the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ this time of year.
One note about this display, my mom called me over and pointed to this one, apparently this is the nativity (the only one) that my very poor newlywed parents put on display every year.
Christmas is coming so quickly! I love th spirit of this season and the joy in the air.
*Although when I woke up from my Sunday nap my dad asked me “Have you written your post yet?”. 
I love my parents.
December 6th, 2009 on 5:54 pm
Those are all beautiful! My parents’ stake puts on a creche exhibit as well, so you never know – you could move to another place that shares this tradition, or start it anew.
The paper nativity at the bottom was one we had in our home as well when I was growing up. I think they used to give it to us in Primary.
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December 6th, 2009 on 6:09 pm
I’m not a Christian but I love how every culture interprets the nativity differently – it’s like the same story being retold in a thousand different, beautiful ways. My favorite is the one with the donkey with the mohawk.
. (And I’m sorry about your hand.)
I think if you move someplace that doesn’t have this tradition, you should start it. It’s really nice. Thanks for posting this
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December 6th, 2009 on 6:22 pm
Oh no! Hope your hand mends quickly!
I love the various depictions of Mary in the different nativities. I’ve only ever seen Mary standing, usually behind the Christ child. I loved seeing her pregnant, riding on the donkey (which looks like it had a run-in with a Henna artist) and also the one of her in the wagon! These are really neat – you’ve inspired me to hopefully have displays of my own someday. What a neat souvenir to bring home during our travels.
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December 6th, 2009 on 6:44 pm
Oh my gosh, Jenna!! I hope your hand heals quickly.
Beautiful photos of the nativity festivities – what a wonderful display.
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December 6th, 2009 on 6:46 pm
oh my goodness this pictures are so yummy! Are these with the 5DMII? I love all these nativity scenes! We never had one growing up, but I think maybe I’ll find one for our little home this year!
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Jenna Reply:
December 6th, 2009 at 8:50 pm
Yes it id th 5dmkii, I’m dying for chances to use it whenever I can. Most of those photos are done one ISO 1000. Can you believe it?
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December 6th, 2009 on 7:00 pm
I had not even paid attention at first that Mary was pregnant on that one. I love it, so unique and touching.
I smiled at the lady holding the lion too.
I love that every country has its own way of showing it.
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December 6th, 2009 on 7:42 pm
OWW!! Praying for a speedy healing of your hand!
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December 6th, 2009 on 8:01 pm
Ouch! praying for your hand to get better fast! Enjoy your time with your parents!!
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December 6th, 2009 on 8:46 pm
So sorry about your hand! I’m an avid reader but I have never commented till now
)
As a former chef who has suffered multiple hand burns, here is my recommendation: get yourself an honest to goodness aloe plant (not that jelly stuff in the bottle), cut open the stems and tape the stems directly onto the burns on your hands, wrap it up and I promise it will be nearly good as new within 24 hours!
Try it! it works wonders!
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December 6th, 2009 on 8:52 pm
You poor thing! OUCH. Hope you feel better soon.
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December 6th, 2009 on 9:09 pm
My wife and I went and saw it late last night. I loved all the snowglobes, but I have to say my favorite nativity was the one made of driftwood. It was so simple and beautiful.
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December 6th, 2009 on 10:05 pm
Ouch! Also, I can’t believe you took those beautiful pictures one-handed. I think the one with the wise men is my favorite. The way the one in the middle is looking up, and the way you captured that perspective melts my heart a little.
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December 6th, 2009 on 10:44 pm
I absolutely adore nativities. I remember putting my grandmother’s up every year on the mantle, it’s the same one she still has. So much symbolism!
On a related note, and it might sound weird, but I just finished listening to an audio book of my friend’s on my ipod, “You Don’t Know Much About the Bible” or something like that, and the section that stood out to me the most was where the nativity story, the circumstances of the birth of Jesus, the timing of Christmas, etc. etc. came from. It was truly fascinating, a lot of it I already knew, some was new, some was surprising, it was just sooo interesting! I think it’s worth a listen/read by people of all perspectives, from Christians to atheists, simply because the Judeo-Christian system influences so much of American culture. Anyway, it really makes all the little parts of the nativity even more intriguing, plus it’s nice to learn in a fun way
Gorgeous post Jenna, I love these pictures. And sorry about your fingers, burns are the worst : /
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December 6th, 2009 on 10:52 pm
I miss being in DFW and having this available! I love the nativity displays.
As far as your hand- ouch! Just wanted to recommend, I got some fabulous burn gel at Walgreens: http://www.walgreens.com/store/catalog/Burn-Care/Burn-Jel-Plus/ID=prod3984895&navCount=0&navAction=push-product
It keeps you from blistering too much, takes away the pain, and prevented a nasty scar on my hand. I love having it around the house, it is a miracle! I highly suggest picking some up for your poor hand.
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December 7th, 2009 on 8:29 am
Love the Nativity pictures. So sorry about your hand I pray for fast healing.
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December 7th, 2009 on 9:10 am
The Eskimo nativity with the walrus and polar bear is so cute!
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December 7th, 2009 on 10:10 am
That burn looks sooooo painful!!!
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December 7th, 2009 on 11:56 am
My stomach turned when I saw the picture of your hand!! OUCH. Hope it feels better soon!!
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December 7th, 2009 on 12:19 pm
I love nativity sets as well. My mother-in-law gave me one last year that my husband sent her from his mission in the Philippines. She said that she had saved it with the intention to give it to his future wife. I love the different interpretations of the nativity from different cultures.
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December 7th, 2009 on 4:23 pm
Oh honey that looks painful. Put plenty of aloe vera on it! The nativity pictures are beautiful, though!
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December 8th, 2009 on 12:44 pm
OUCH! I hope your hand heals quickly.
On a brighter note I really enjoyed the pictures of all these nativitys… This will be my first Christmas away from home and with my husband and I’m still searching for the perfect nativity, one that I could someday pass on to my children…
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December 8th, 2009 on 4:26 pm
So sorry about your hand! I badly burned my fingertips once (turns out oven mitts exist for a reason), and there are a LOT of nerve endings on fingers. Ouch!
But at least you’re getting some practice with one-handed typing. Computer-using baby parents would be lost without that skill!
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