A Tale of Two Manger Scenes

Neighbor Joe's Manger Scene

     Two cherished and vintage Christmas photos help to share the sentiments of the following heart-warming Tale of Two Manger Scenes. The first manger scene is in Neighbor Joe's front yard. I planned this shot long before my long-distance grandson ever arrived for the holidays and never imagined it would be such an enchanting experience.

     It is dusk, with gentle snow flurries. We are babysitting our little guy, with only one more visit day remaining, and daylight is quickly slipping away. I need to get THE shot: Jeff, it is so beautiful outside. We must get that manger scene picture at Joe's, today and now!

      We quickly don warm coats and shoes. Our front steps are snowy, so we cautiously proceed, holding hands. Will the pictures be as good as I had hoped? Photographer Jeff snaps the photos as we carefully wipe snow off baby Jesus. I love it.

     This second manger scene picture has a totally different story. My grandson was drawn to this manger scene rather than being led to it... it was hidden in my bedroom... basically for nostalgic purposes... for me. It is an olive wood manger scene from Jerusalem that Mom gifted to me 25 years ago, and he discovered it and connected with it, naturally. He returned to my darkened room every day, two or three times a day to hold the figures, knock them over, and play... he chose to love his great-grandma's sentimental manger scene. See the train he added? Surely there was a train in Jesus' manger.  Love, love it.