This is NOT a close up, so you can't see the mistakes. But these stockings held more than candy and toys. They held a mother's love, a desire to bring joy, and all the memories of childhood stitched in the fabric. Now each Christmas they give me special joy to pull them out of their Christmas box. A family treasure.
Do you have a special Christmas decoration?
"And having heard the king, they went their way; and lo, the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them, until it came and stood over where the Child was. And they came into the house and saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell down and worshiped Him; and opening their treasures they presented to Him gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh." Matthew 2:9, 11
I've often wondered what Mary did with the gifts. The treasures they gave were beyond Mary and Josephs means and station. Did she keep them until His death? Did Jesus ever ask about them?
Treasures mean more than fancy gifts to me. Treasures beyond cost are those loaded with meaning and love. Will you share a treasure?
Photo:karenevans
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24 comments:
What a fun keepsake and treasure of Christmases past. Mistakes or not, it will be a memory for them and you forever.
My special Christmas decoration is our Chihuahua angel tree-topper. ;-)
I've always thought the gifts were God financing the trip to Egypt. They had to get out of town quick and that would set them up while they were out of Israel.
I'm sure they know how much you love them. Beautiful gems to pass along. :O)
That's an amazing question. I wish I'd thought to wonder about Jesus' gifts! I can believe, though, that Mary took very good care of them.
wow I never thought before what Mary did with the gifts. interesting. I made stocking just like yours too. The nativity set is one thing we put out each year - I inherited it from my mom. and can't forget the mistletoe, either.
Wow, I am impressed with your love and artistry. I bet your kids treasure these.
My favorite decoration is a card sent from my Grandma. I laminated it and put it up every year--she's in Heaven now, but her handwriting alone brings a peace into my heart that is immeasurable.
I think M and J spent the gifts to finance their trip to Egypt and back!
Love
Jen
Parsley, oh, I should have known!! :)
Teri, that could be what they did. I think God didn't tell us on purpose.
Diane, yes, they do.
Janna, I often wondered if any were kept to use for His burial.
Jeanie, that's neat. I also have a little nativity, but it's not out this year. Maybe when Caden gets a bit older.
Jennette, that's a wonderful treasure! Mary and Joseph might have done that. We'll have to ask them. :)
I thought this was a G-rated blog. What's that little guy at the top, left doing? Flashing? I'm averting my eyes in shock.
I once made a nutcracker for our office decor. It looked so bad they decided to throw it away and make a new one. Good thing I don't take those things personally. Although, I wish they told me from the beginning I didn't need to make a nutcracker in the first place. :-)
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Love the stockings, Karen! I have a nativity set that I bought for Molly when she was little. It was supposed to be "unbreakable." (Kind of like how the Titanic was supposed to be "unsinkable.") Well, you guessed it. She broke the head off of Joseph. I glued it back on, but it always came off. I finally gave up. Every year I bring out the nativity with "headless Joseph." It's one of my favorite decorations. :)
Oh yes! My treasures are the ornaments my mom gave to us growing up each year- they hang on my tree now.
My mom made us papersacks with fruit and nuts, and when times weren't too bad, candy -- she'd write our names on them-that was our stockings and I began doing that with my son, but when I married GMR, he used stockings, so, I began to do that too - - I miss those papersacks, though *smiling*
Oh, Nick, you are sump'in else! I had to go back and look at what you were talking about. Silly boy! :)
Aww, FC, so sorry!
Lol, Melinda, my little nativity I made for the kids, well, I'll just say the donkey's nose was gone, now painted back,...in a way. :P
Jennie, that's a wonderful treasure. I love dated ornaments for that reason.
Kathryn, those are precious memories, no matter what the container. You could always reinstate that with your grand-doll!
sweet stockings!
good thoughts on the gifts. we always assume they just carried them, but I imagine they had caravan's heavy-laden with those gifts. remember how King Solomon had so many gifts from all over the world? how much more the King of kings?
Those beautiful gifts from the heart and hands mean more than any of the others. They may not have realized that then but I'm sure your daughter and son are full of appreciation and pride. And those are really cute stocking holders too.
Well done with your efforts making those 'stockings' and for creating a tradition Karen. - Dave
Janean, I agree!
Hilary, thanks so much. Yes, they do know now that they are older.
Thanks Dave. Traditions can be special.
I agree with Jeanette Levellie 0n the Mary question.
About having a favorite Christmas decoration, I would have to say I don't but my wife has many :-)
~Ron
What DID she do with all those gifts? I am sure she treasured them and pondered them in her heart.... I love the way you look at everything Karen, I need to do that more.
And your sweet stockings! Love those. Sadly, I have loads of Christmas decorations, but none that are special to my kids. Everything seems special to me, but my kids aren't interested one bit. They are more interested in the cookies!
Have a wonderful Christmas season. (I know I will be trying to catch up with my crazy life so I won't be good at blogging until Christmas) Enjoy each and every moment!
Kate
Those stockings are beautiful...and what a way to always have something that your kids will cherish.
Those ARE so special! I can imagine the memories they hold! Aren't memories some of the best treasures of all?!
Ron, I bet you like the tree???
Kate, oh, enjoy your family and Christmas. I'm having a bunch, too.
Stephanie, thank you, I think I remember feeling that they were fun to do....chuckle....
Libbie, yes I agree!
It would make sense if she used the gifts to take care of them during the time they spent in Egypt.
My favorite Christmas decorations are magnolia leaves and cedar branches.
I love the look and the fragrance.
Sweet dreams,
Deb
My mother painted angel's for our tree. and I still use it each year.
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