by Deb Jones
I painted this nativity set in 1983, my last year in Vacation Bible School. We were the oldest grade and received the entire set as our art project at VBS. We had two color choices: cream or bronze. My grandfather made me a stable out of scraps in his woodshop for my set. He even put wood shavings on the roof and sides.
Shortly after getting married, my husband and I moved to Tennessee in order for him to continue his education in seminary. This move placed us almost 1000 miles from our families and friends. Having this nativity set from my childhood helped me to smile remembering all the wonderful Christmases back home. Looking at the nativity eased the feeling of homesickness while living so far away.
All 17 pieces have lasted for 42 years! I love this set because it is so simple and full of many memories.
Deb Jones is a follower of Jesus, wife to Aaron, mother to Rachel, Caleb and Gabriel, and MIL to Dylan and Maddie. She works at Olmsted Medical Center as a medical coder. She is a proclaimed jack of all trades and master of none.
My parents and grandparents had the same set growing up just painted a different color!