Sticking Close

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I have spent the day finding my house back. By that I mean….clearing off the counters, putting away dishes used for Christmas, storing away bedding till the next time the family comes and picking up small Lego pieces from some of the oddest places.

When I got to the crate that held the nativity set I had to grin. This year we chose to let the grand-kids help set up the nativity set…..not because it was in the original plan, but because I had run out of time to get all my Christmas decorations put up this year.

As I read Luke 2, my husband handed out the pieces as they were mentioned. The virgin Mary was placed gently, by small hands, on the crate, followed by the donkey and Joseph. As the story unfolded the pieces found their way to their places. (We did realize that the wise men were not mentioned in that chapter but we gave them a spot anyway.)

For me, reading that chapter was a time I will always cherish. I got to see the events of that miraculous night, through the eyes of a child in all its’ wonder and joy. They did wonder why my set did not have the angels and the heavenly host or camels for the wise men……and I had no answer for that one. (I later headed over to Amazon and E bay to see if I could find some, but obviously my set has been long discontinued.)

The thing I noticed about the placement of those involved in the Christmas story was how very close my grandchildren had placed them together. They were all huddled as close as they could get to the baby Jesus.

Their closeness made me grin but it also made me stop and think. What if we all huddled and stuck that close to Jesus? What if we lived life with the wonder of a child and the simple faith they display? I have a feeling this world would be a much more peaceful place if that were the case.

I love all the little reminders, in my home, that my family has been here…..candy canes have disappeared off the tree.  I love the fact we had a few hours to spend all together….all at the same time. I am humbled by the grace displayed by my children and by their willingness to make this day special when we gather.

May we all “stick close” this coming year. May we all be blessed with grace and all the little reminders of those we love. Blessings to you all!

 

“While we try to teach our children all about life,
our children teach us what life is all about.” 
― Angela Schwindt

 

“You can kiss your family and friends good-bye and put miles between you,
but at the same time you carry them with you in your heart, your mind,
your stomach, because you do not just live in a world but a world lives in you.” 
― Frederick Buechner

 

35 thoughts on “Sticking Close”

  1. Jessica says:
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    Absolutely beautiful. LOVE that the pieces were all so close together! It really does relate to how wonderful life is when walls come down and love rules the world.

    I’ve missed you and your writing. ❤️

    Liked by 1 person

  2. Whitneyibeblog says:
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    What if we all huddled and stuck that close to Jesus? What if we lived life with the wonder of a child and the simple faith they display? This line struck me and left me in deep thoughts.
    If we could stick so close to Jesus, we would be too busy having the mind of Christ and wouldn’t have time for any negative activities. Psalm 133:1 makes it clear that it is always good and pleasant for brethren to dwell together.
    Family time is best time for me regardless of how much I love my me time. Your grandchildren are blessed to have you as their grandma.
    Great piece and thank you for sharing.

    Liked by 1 person

  3. rabbitpatchdiary.com says:
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    This is another favorite for me. I did the same thing yesterday-minus the legos, but oh I remember! Your tradition of the nativity, is as beautiful as I know of. Then, the children putting all as close to Jesus as they could get them . . . makes me cry. Of course you conclude with the best quotes-well, I just felt blessed to read it. Thank you, dear Faye.

    Liked by 1 person

  7. Anne Mehrling says:
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    This was a most enjoyable post. I could almost hear your house give a sigh of relief. We didn’t have as many people as you did. There were only five of us, the smallest number we’ve ever had. The dinner was easy and peaceful. The next day my brother and his wife came for 24 hours. After they left, son John $ returned. Instead of one big blast of celebration, ours was strung out. I laughed at my thoughts when reading of your setting up the nativity set. I have no idea if the baby ever made it to the manger here. I’ll bet John saw to it at the perfect time. I’m keeping a watchful eye on the wise men, though. Last year they went AWOL, and we didn’t find them until the middle of the summer.

    Liked by 1 person

  8. Deb says:
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    Oh I love that as you read Luke 2 you handed out the nativity scene to be set-up. I also love how close they have the lambs to the baby lamb…they have the animals closest. What a wonderful memory and I think you should make it a tradition…look what an impression it left on you. That first quote is sooo true…I have intentionally paid closer attention to children this past year and have taken such pleasure in their carefree attitude…like just singing out loud if they feel like it, or skipping, or jumping…what fun that would be if we were in the grocery store and all of a sudden we just felt like skipping up to the deli counter…haha!! Stay warm Faye…it’s not getting above freezing here until Jan. 8…UGH!

    Liked by 1 person

    • thechickengrandma says:
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      I really laughed about skipping in the store Deb! When we were kids my dad would skip through the stores with us. He continued that with his grandkids. My mom would just shake her head. My husband has done the same with our kids!
      We are going to have a low of -30 Sunday night….at least that is what they tell us….I am not looking forward to that at all. Some of the churches in our area are already cancelling services for Sunday as it will not get above 0.
      You also stay warm Deb!

      Liked by 1 person

      • Deb says:

        Oh I love it…that’s so wonderful!!! Imagine walking down the street singing at the top of your lungs your favorite song…people would think we were crazy…ha!
        Yikes…that’s insanely cold…do take care and boy keep those girls warm…brrr.

        Liked by 1 person

    • thechickengrandma says:
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      For some reason I had run really behind decorating this year. When the grandkids had a book with Luke 2 about the journey to Bethlehem it just seemed like a great thing to do. I am thinking it would be a great tradition.
      Thank you so much for stopping by! I will have to venture out your way.

      Like

  11. thecobweboriumemporium says:
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    Playing catch-up – sorry I’m here so late.
    A beautiful post, Chicken. It took me back to my own childrens younger years, when our own Nativity set was got out carefully and set in a ‘stable’ made by Daddy (Mr.Cobs). The girls both loved it, and loved to handle it …. the problem was that I loved it too and I was SO scared that they would break the pieces by dropping them on the stone hearth, so used to hold my breath until a piece was put in place and the next one given to tiny chubby little hands to take their turn at placing a piece by the stable.

    Thankfully … none of the pieces got broken – but it was a tense moment or two at the time! lol.

    I’m so thrilled that I got to this post and didn’t miss it. Christmas was taken as a ‘time off’ from blogging to relax, rest and recuperate, and because of that I don’t think I’ll be caught up with everyones blog until next Christmas! eeeek! lol
    Sending squidges and wishing you a very Happy and contented New Year. ~ C. xxx

    Liked by 1 person

    • thechickengrandma says:
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      No need to apologize Cobs. I am finally caught up myself. I have a feeling I may have missed some posts here or there but I am hoping for grace on that one!
      I also held my breath on those nativity pieces. I keep looking for a stable but may have to try construct one myself one of these days.
      So glad you are back and I hope this finds you feeling rested and well. How have you been?

      Liked by 1 person

      • thecobweboriumemporium says:

        To quote a famous poem: “I’m awfully well for the state that I’m in”. – (if you haven’t heard of the poem let me know and I’ll share it. It tickles the heck out of me).

        Like you I looked out for a stable for our nativity pieces and in the end asked Mr. Cobs to make one. I drew my vision on a bit of paper and gave some rough measurements (because I didn’t want my nativity pieces travelling all the way down the garden to where his workshop was sited), and he made the most incredible little stable, which even impressed our Vicar, who genuinely thought that the stable had came with the nativity set, and who commented about how sad it was that the stable is always missing from sets.

        Make yourself one Chicken. You will know how you think it should look because you’ve pictured it there for quite some years, and only you will be able to given the pieces the stable you know should be there.
        Go to it, you fabulous woman!
        Squidges and love ~ Cobs. xxx

        Liked by 1 person

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