http://adventdoor.com/2008/12/23/christmas-eve-where-the-foreign-meets-the-familiar/ Jan Richardson's artful blog illuminates the season of Advent. Thu, 12 Jan 2012 18:49:18 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 http://adventdoor.com/2008/12/23/christmas-eve-where-the-foreign-meets-the-familiar/#comment-229 Jan Richardson Mon, 29 Dec 2008 00:26:14 +0000 http://theadventdoor.com/?p=307#comment-229 Oh, thanks so much, Phyllis, for your description of these nativity sets; what great images. Great to see you this morning, and thanks so much for your companionship on the path to Christmas! Deep blessings to you and yours. Oh, thanks so much, Phyllis, for your description of these nativity sets; what great images. Great to see you this morning, and thanks so much for your companionship on the path to Christmas! Deep blessings to you and yours.

]]> http://adventdoor.com/2008/12/23/christmas-eve-where-the-foreign-meets-the-familiar/#comment-224 phyllis Sat, 27 Dec 2008 03:37:36 +0000 http://theadventdoor.com/?p=307#comment-224 I know I'm catching up here, but I couldn't pass on this one! I find comfort every year in setting out at least three (that's all the room I have) of the five different nativity sets we have collected: three from Africa in ebony, thorn wood and soap stone; one from friends in Ecuador (brightly colored sculpted dough figures that fills the whole mantle) and one very small set with only Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus from Carl's childhood. They each express a certain cultural aspect to Jesus and I always receive something special when I set them up and see them every day throughout the Season. Mostly at the end of each day, they remind me to look for Him in my daily comings and goings and to not take this Special Gift for granted. Blessings and thanks for the Foreign and Familiar. It was meaningful to me! I know I’m catching up here, but I couldn’t pass on this one! I find comfort every year in setting out at least three (that’s all the room I have) of the five different nativity sets we have collected: three from Africa in ebony, thorn wood and soap stone; one from friends in Ecuador (brightly colored sculpted dough figures that fills the whole mantle) and one very small set with only Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus from Carl’s childhood. They each express a certain cultural aspect to Jesus and I always receive something special when I set them up and see them every day throughout the Season. Mostly at the end of each day, they remind me to look for Him in my daily comings and goings and to not take this Special Gift for granted. Blessings and thanks for the Foreign and Familiar. It was meaningful to me!

]]> http://adventdoor.com/2008/12/23/christmas-eve-where-the-foreign-meets-the-familiar/#comment-206 Jan Richardson Wed, 24 Dec 2008 15:38:40 +0000 http://theadventdoor.com/?p=307#comment-206 Thank you, Cathy! Christmas blessings to you! Thank you, Cathy! Christmas blessings to you!

]]> http://adventdoor.com/2008/12/23/christmas-eve-where-the-foreign-meets-the-familiar/#comment-205 Cathy Wed, 24 Dec 2008 14:33:01 +0000 http://theadventdoor.com/?p=307#comment-205 Jan, Thank you for the many doors you've offered of Emmanuel in this season. Many the blessings return to you as you share in the joy of the season! Jan, Thank you for the many doors you’ve offered of Emmanuel in this season. Many the blessings return to you as you share in the joy of the season!

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