Well, I never!!!

As many of you know, I was raised in a very conservative family. Growing up, Momma made sure that we all knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that December 25 was not, in fact, biblically listed as the day of Jesus’ actual birth. I, myself, lean more toward a spring date seeing as how shepherds and even a mean old guy like Herod Ceasar are not likely to subject either sheep or large numbers of people to winter time grazing and/or census travel. Plus just plain old history tells us church leaders established it to wean people away from the pagan festivals held that same time of year.

My parents are perfectly thrilled about the birth of Christ (as you can imagine) and love songs about his birth just as much as the next person. But the focus on a day was their issue. As you can imagine, in our house there was not a nativity scene EVER. Aside from the fact that December 25th is not actually biblically listed as Jesus actual day of birth, there’s the whole 3 wisemen thing–and it never says three wisemen–it says three gifts. And then there is the whole ARRIVAL of the wisemen thing–where it appears that they did not, indeed, find Jesus in the manger as did the shepherds, but found a “young child in a house” probably several months, if not a year later. And let’s not even get started on the NAMES of the wisemen since those aren’t listed there either. Yes, go and check your Bibles. And if that’s not enough for you, there is also a section on it at Snopes.com. . .go figure.

Anyway–my children are given a healthy dose of biblical accuracy as well, along with the admonition that even though it’s not Jesus’ birthday as far as we know, we are all really happy that people are thinking about Jesus and talking about Jesus and doing nice things because of Jesus, and it really doesn’t matter when he was born as long as we thank God that he was, indeed, born, etc. We are up with Jesus every day.

I still don’t have a nativity set. I had a very nice pewter one, but gave it to a dear friend who admired it. I missed out on the Little People Nativity set when it came out and am SOOOOO wishing I had one (the star lights up when you set the angel atop it–and Thad would point out RIGHT NOW that ALL of the angels in the Bible are BOYS–much to his sister’s chagrine). . .but will probably just work on getting the Willow Tree one at some point. The wisemen can be on another piece of furniture “afar off” beginning their journey to follow the star.

I say all of that to say, that for EVERY Nativity set that I have seen, and for all of the lovely and ornate crosses I’ve seen, I’ve never–not ever–no, not ever, ever, ever, seen a resurrection set. So imagine my surprise when I came across this while procrastinating relaxing and looking through a mail order catalogue tonight.

Aside from the unlikely coloring of clothing and the sunflowers (which I’m not sure grow in the Middle East), well it seems to be dead on accurate. The women even have things to tend to the body of Jesus. I was just amazed because it seemed so unlikely a thing to find. I might have to buy one before I even begin my nativity collection. And once I get both collections, I might leave them out all year long. . .not just Christmas. . .and not just Easter. . .because the wonder of God’s greatest gift is that it means something to us EVERY day.