This week, random.org handed me Mama Kat prompt number three: Your nativity scene.
Our nativity scene came from SERRV, a fair trade network connecting thousands of artisans in developing countries with customers and volunteers across the United States. It was a gift from my in-laws.
I am glad it is a product made by someone who can improve their life by having a craft. I have to admit the set looked a lot bigger in the catalog than it does in real life (yes, the catalog probably had measurements but I didn't pay attention).
It is humble, crafted out of wood, and all of the pieces fit into the manger for storage year after year.
Although it is small and plain, there are things about our nativity set that parallel our family's faith journey.
It has an honored place at the entrance to our home.
Its small physical size is utterly contradicted by its huge symbolic importance.
In some ways it looks "unfinished." The characters could be sanded more, painted, detailed.
Like each one of us in this family, each piece of our nativity set has rough edges but a unique and treasured place in the world.
Thank God.
