Some years ago, at a MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) meeting, when my oldest were babies, our pastor's wife gave a talk, on Christmas decorating with toddlers in the house. One thing she emphatically suggested was having at least one, hands on, nativity scene, for little ones to play with, as they worked through the story of Christmas.I ran straight out, and picked up the Little People Nativity set, and it has been a fixture in our house, every Christmas season, since then.
The children, especially my youngest, always enjoy seeing it, and playing with it. But, I, in my typical type A personality fashion, worry.
I worry about the biblical inaccuracy of a winged, girlish looking, angel...
...and a blonde Jesus...
...and, that too often the wise men become princesses, or evil terrorists, holding Mary hostage, in the children's games.
Today, though, what caught my eye, was an extra member of the cast. He seemed somehow out of place."Who put this guy here?" I asked.
The children blinked, and although no one admitted to adding him, one of the older children explained, "That's modern man, coming to the knowledge of Christ."
Pretty cool!
I guess, maybe, I was over thinking things.
I guess, maybe, I was over thinking things.
I'll be linking this post to Wonder Mom's Bible Alive! Tuesday, over at The Fantastic Five, where you can find more Bible lessons, and activities for children.
It's great to be a homeschooler.
We have a nativity set that is just Selena's, so she can play with it. I never know what I might find included in the play!
ReplyDeleteYou must be doing something right! What a wonderful, perceptive comment about your altered nativity. We also have a hands on set I bought years ago from Schleich. It is one of my kid's favorite Christmas decorations. I only wish I could find an angel to go with it.
ReplyDeleteWe have that same Little People Nativity. I have had the same concerns, but my children are always so happy to see it come out this time of year. That reminds me that I should get it out today.
ReplyDeleteOk. Modern man Rocks. :) I too have issues with the whole inaccuracies of the nativity sets . . . I try to get over it - and give information . . .I try . . ... :)
ReplyDeleteThat is so cool. I wanted to get one last year and settled for a cheaper Michaels version but I regret it because it never gets played with. I need to find another.
ReplyDeleteWe need to get a Nativity set for her too. We have a beautiful one handpainted by my Gram's dear friend but I am a bit nervous to place that one out with a toddler. Love the quote about "modern man". Kerri
ReplyDeleteI like the games your kids play. Maybe I can talk my husband into Playmobil Nativity set - we already have wise men for it.
ReplyDeleteAwe...Modern Man, huh? Awesome!
ReplyDeleteIt's at this time of year that I am definitely aware of the blonde and blue eyed baby Jesuses.
I'll be making my own felt Nativity...and have altered the flesh colors a bit. Not that it will be done THIS Christmas.
We have that set, too! Love the "modern man" comment!
ReplyDeletehehe, too cute. A mom I know did an advent tradition with her family using a play nativity set, advent wreath and scripture readings. So we've incorporated that into your advent season. We have a play nativity set too and it bothers me that the angel is a girl! It seems like that is the case in a lot of play nativity sets. Anyway, that's great about modern man! Too cute!
ReplyDeleteWe personally are atheist, but this nativity set IS pretty cool, the "modern man" made me laugh.
ReplyDeleteMy in-laws are catholics, but their nativity scene has been missing Mary since many years, I want to replace it with an hand painted Marie wooden doll so my 2yr old can play with the "right" thing.
Modern man is awesome.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a kid we had 3 sets we could play with, and all sorts of things happened to Jesus. He would be kidnapped, there was an evil Mary clone......
LOL I love Modern Man! That's awesome. :-)
ReplyDeleteI have meant to pick one of these up every year...instead I let the kids play with my glass one. Slowly we have lost arms, legs, and ears...I think this is the year I invest in a kid friendly one! =)
ReplyDeleteIs there an English phone booth nearby? Perhaps it is Dr. Who searching for a companion for his next adventure. Your nieces (N & N) think T or G's response is "pure genius!"
ReplyDeleteI hadn't considered Dr. Who - no phone booths nearby - unless you count the one at Albertsons, that doesn't have a phone anymore :)
ReplyDeletebhahaha, that's also exactly the Nativity scene that use for under the tree! :) It occurred to met that we didn't really have one, and I thought about going to buy a nice one... then thought: whatever I put under there, will end up being played with. And then I thought: well, good! I want the kids to play with it!
ReplyDeleteA friend on our Christian playgroup posted a link with this playset, and so I went to get it ;-)
A loves it!
P.S. Forgot to mention, there's one thing that bugs me about the set too... Where's Joseph?!?
ReplyDeleteI went out to buy this after seeing this post because we didn't have a nativity set and I thought we should, and it should be unbreakable (otherwise it would have to be essentially out of reach/out of sight, and what's the point of that?). In response to your comment that the angel looked like a girl, I have to say that my son was CONVINCED that Joseph was the mommy, so I think they are all sort of girlish-looking. And why are there no shepherds? The website says there are 2 in the set, so now I'm all confused.
ReplyDeleteMonica and frugalhippiebusy - You kind of have to use the Joseph and the shepherd interchangeably. I would have thought after years of parent complaints, they would have added another one to the set - go figure.
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