What Do You See Outside YOUR Open Window Today?

What Do You See Outside YOUR Open Window Today?
Remember: "When God closes a door, He always opens a window!" You never know what might be out there waiting for you!

Monday, December 9, 2019

Special Christmas Joys



Well, at least you may think you've seen this ornament before...and yes,  you would be right, and then again, you could be wrong!  You see, this particular nativity ornament is not the same one at all...but it sure looks like it, doesn't it?

 Here's the story.  This particular Nativity Ornament (well, the other one) always was on my parents' Christmas tree when I was growing up. It was the only ornament that I could honestly say that I remember, because it was so special. It always was front and center, at a height where I could see it as a young child, and every Christmas is would be right there in the same spot. It was very special to me, and to all of us.  When my parents died and we finally settled their estate, my sister became the recipient of this beloved nativity ornament.  Every year since then she has posted a picture of it on her tree, which I have enjoyed seeing on Facebook from a distance. 
My parent's Nativity ornament
This year, the same story. But when I commented on her picture that I wished we could "clone" this ornament so we could both have one, my cousin Becky chimed in with a comment that perhaps I should check on ebay and see if I could find it.  Now, I am not an ebay shopper. I've done very little there and really don't know the routine.  And I didn't know the brand name or anything for particular ornament, so I really wasn't sure if I could find it.  But I thought it was worth a try!  And after I typed in my description of a vintage cardboard Christmas nativity tree ornament...this popped up! It was the exact same one! It even came with the original box! (below)

The price wasn't exorbitant, but I was a little reluctant to order it.  My sister and my cousin encouraged me in their comments, and so I asked my hubby if it would be okay for me to order a totally nostalgic gift for myself for Christmas, and without hesitation he said, "Yes! Order it! And when it comes I'll wrap it up and put it under the tree!"  Well, order it I did, but when it came in the mail today, I showed it to him (he hadn't even looked when I ordered it), and asked if it would be okay if this gift could go right on the tree instead of under it...and he totally agreed.

And so it is there, on the tree, right in the same spot where my parents would have put it.
Can you find it?
And I wanted to point out something else special...Do you see the little garnet jeweled angel on the left, and the greenish colored angel on the right? Well, those two angel ornaments represent my mother (on the left) and my father (on the right), and those are their birthstones.  Also, the little angel above is playing violin, which also represents my mother, as she loved to play the violin and I try to find angel ornaments playing a violin in memory of her.

Let's sing a favorite childhood Christmas carol to go along with this story tonight:

"Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,
The little Lord Jesus, laid down His sweet head;
The stars in the sky looked down where He lay,
The Little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay."

"The cattle are lowing, the Baby awakes,
But little Lord Jesus,
No crying He makes.
I love Thee, Lord Jesus, 
look down from the sky,

And stay by my cradle 
till morning is nigh."

 (Sunset tonight and early morning reflections 
beside "Still Waters Pond")
Amen.

19 comments:

  1. I like your story behind your nativity ornament and the ornaments near it that represent your parents. That is so meaningful to have on your tree.

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    1. Thank you, Terra. I find great joy and comfort in those little things that mean a lot! My parents always made Christmas a time of wonder and joy in our lives, and so this is a special way to remember them, and also to thank the Lord for allowing me to be born into such a family! God bless you and have a very Merry Christmas!

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  2. This is a lovely story of Christmas past and Christmas present. Thank you.
    Diana

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    1. Thank you, Diana. Our past helps to form our present, and I am so thankful that God blessed me with a wonderful "past", and good godly parents who taught me the best things in life! Merry Christmas!

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  3. Oh, how wonderful that you found the exact ornament and can now enjoy it and all the memories it represents!! I am so happy for you, Pam! Beautiful!

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    1. Thank you, Terri! Sometimes it's the little things that mean the most, and I am so thankful for this "little thing" that blessed my life then and now! Merry Christmas!

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  4. So very happy that you found a duplicate ornament for your tree! Such a blessing! Your tree is lovely.

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    1. Thank you, Mildred. It has brought great delight to my little girl heart, and I am so thankful for the "Gift" it represents. Thinking of you and your hubby today. Praying.

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    1. Thank you, Karen. I am thankful that these little things can bless others as well...May the Lord be praised!

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  6. I love this post and your memories...so sweet. So glad you found the ornament! Away in the Manger is one of my most favorite Christmas Carols. I play it at church quite often during the Christmas Season.

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  7. Beautiful...each and every ornament we have also have special stories as well. I am so glad you found that ornament, smiles.

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  8. Oh, how much joy we receive from tender Christmas decorations of our childhood, whether they're the originals or duplicates. I feel exactly as you...even when I groan about how much work it is to put up the tree, nothing matches the treasured memories evoked from the ornaments. (And finding women like you and other bloggers who share the same sentiments is a real blessing.)
    "Away in the Manger" is forever dear to my heart. Also it plays in the background in "Christmas at Plum Creek"...the Little House show about the Ingalls first Christmas, one of my favorite things to watch.
    Blessings, Linda

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  9. Oh, Pamela, how precious this ornament is! The history behind your longing for it makes it even more special. My favorite ornament is one of Mary holding the baby Jesus. I always, always put it on a limb where my children and grandchildren could see it. Such a treasure to remind us of the ultimate treasure the world has ever known.
    Blessings!

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  10. Pamela, your tree is gorgeous! You have a Christmas tree decorating knack. I'm so glad you found the ornament and that your friend and family members encouraged you. It seems you were meant to have it and it will fit right into your Christmas this year and in the years to come.

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  11. I love this story! So amazing that you found the same one! My husband loves ebay too and it is crazy what you can find!

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  12. Glad you found your ornament. The tree looks nice near the window like that.

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  13. I love how the ornament found you!

    :)

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  14. Oh I am just thrilled for you that you were able to find one! Do you know that we had an ornament on our tree when I was a little girl just like it?! It really must be a collector's item since you found it on ebay. We had a certain clock that looked like a fireplace when I was a child and I never knew what became of it. after a search on ebay, I found several of them, again collector's items, some of them were in working order and were just sold for parts. Ebay is a great place to find vintage items. Here is a link to my post written on my other blog about the clock. https://debbysmemories.blogspot.com/2012/11/its-about-time.html

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