Wood Nativity Story Ornaments

Among the newest ornaments in the collection is a series of four ornaments highlighting the biblical accounts surrounding the nativity of Jesus Christ.

They are made by Cedar View Gifts in Arkansas, U.S.A. The material is quarter-inch premium birch with a golden oak finish and gloss lacquer, they are 3 1/2" high x 3 1/2" wide. "Each piece is designed, laser cut or etched, hand-finished, assembled and packaged on our farm."
Each ornament a blue tag announcing the maker of the beautiful ornaments:

"Cedar View Gifts
Quality Christian Craftsmanship
Made in the USA
http://www.cedarviewgifts.com/"

The first ornament shows Mary on a donkey led by Joseph with a Star above. The text is Luke 2:4-5:

"So Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, unto Judea..To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child."

The next shows the familiar scene of Mary, Baby Jesus in Manger and Joseph, with Star above. The text is Luke 2:11:
"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord"

The third shows the shepherds with Star above. The scripture is Luke 2:8,9:
"And there were shepherds abiding in the field, And, lo,the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them."

The fourth ornament in the set depicts the Three Wise men on Camels, with Star above. The text is Matt. 2:1-12:
"There came wise men from the east, Saying, Where is He that is born King of the Jews? We have seen his star in the east, and come to worship him."

These are such wonderful reminders of Christ’s sacrifice to give us eternal life with Him.

Merry Christmas!

Blue Monday – Wedgwood Jasperware Nativity Ornaments

Blue Monday is sponsored by Sally at Smiling Sally.


Jasperware was the creation of Josiah Wedgwood during the eighteenth century in England. This morning I’d like to share a selection of Wedgwood ornaments from my nativity scenes collection. Most are blue with white jasperware and some are all white jasperware.

I have lots of trouble taking good photos for my posts. For example, here are the photos I took of the ornaments I want to share for today’s post. The detail got washed-out with the flash:


In order to give a better view of the ornaments, I’ve found better photos on the web for most of the items. When I can try again and suceed in producing better photos, I’ll substitute those.

First is a Wedgwood Icon Ornament. It is 3.75" high in matte blue with white relief. A matching white Wedgwood ribbon is attached. The design is an openwork ball with white figures inside - Joseph/ Mary/ Baby Jesus.

The next two are all-white round Wedgwood Jasper Collectibles ornaments. The first is titled "O Holy Night" and depicts Mary/ Baby Jesus/ Joseph and Donkey under open Stable. It has a gilt ribbon for hanging.

The second one is titled "We Three Kings" and features three kings on camels under curving palm trees.

The all-white ornament below has gold accents and a white Wedgwood ribbon for hanging. Shaped like a lantern it is approximately 4 ¼" tall and 2" square. Joseph / Baby Jesus/ Mary are seen inside a stable.

The next ornament is about 2.75 inches tall and has a blue ribbon for hanging. It shows two shepherds with sheep observing a white star above.

This ornament is a 3-inch circle of all-blue jasperware with a blue ribbon for hanging. The figure is a standing shepherd with staff and six sheep.

Last are the ornaments depicting angels... angels always add graceful presence to any nativity scene. First is a Wedgwood Jasperware Standing Angel Ornament that is 3 inches in diameter and has an openwork border:

The next two angels are in all white with relief on both sides. The first one blows a trumpet and has a blue ribbon for hanging.

The second angel is delicately embellished in gold and also blows a trumpet while carrying a branch. It has a gold cord for hanging.

To enjoy more Blue Monday posts, do visit our hostess at Smiling Sally.

Vintage Nativity Ornaments – Jewelbrite

For today's entry I thought I’d focus on two sets of 1950's vintage nativity ornaments, made of brightly colored plastic manufactured under the name Jewelbrite by Decor.

The first set is shaped like spheres. Each has an open front with a silver color background in front of which is a three-dimensional scene. The red one has 2 Shepherds and a sheep; the blue one has 2 Wise Men; and the yellow one has Mary, Joseph & Baby Jesus in the manger.

The second set has a lantern shape and also an open front with a silver color background. The green one and the blue one each has a Wise Man with Camel; and the yellow one has Mary, Joseph & Baby Jesus in the manger.

Please visit ColoradoLady for more Vintage Thingies Thursday posts.

Nativity Ornament Trees

Earlier, in this post I introduced one of two nativity trees. Today I’ll share a second nativity tree.

The two types of nativity ornaments in the collection are defined in the post, "What the Collection Includes,": a. creche ornaments -These are small nativity scenes meant to be hung on a tree as ornaments. Example:

b. creche figure ornaments - These are individual figures meant to be put on a tree as ornaments.Example:

The two nativity trees I have set up each uses one type of nativity ornament as defined above. The first one I’ll call "Bethlehem Vignettes" – creche ornaments (depicting aspects of the nativity story)

As mentioned above, this tree was presented in the post for Nov. 20, 2008:

Here are closeups of the various nativity ornaments.

The second tree might be called "Figures of Bethlehem" – figure ornaments (people and animals of the nativity story)

This particular tree is 6 ½ feet tall. I have left it in its box in the garage since I could not get it to stand straight after the first year I used it. It kept leaning and leaning. So now I must find another 6-foot tree so the creche figure ornaments can be displayed securely.

Finally, an 18" miniature tree holds miniature nativity ornaments. It was presented in the Nov. 13, 2008 post.

The theme of the nativity is wonderful when a family desires to focus on the true and most meaningful reason for the Christmas season.

If you would like a nativity theme tree for Christmas 2009, now is the time to start collecting your ornaments. Some sources are given here.

For more Show and Tell Friday posts, go to Kelli's blog.

Trim the Tree Thursday – Nativity Tree Ornaments

Trim the Tree Thursday is sponsored by Brett at The Southern Hostess.

Ornaments with a nativity motif or theme celebrate that Jesus is the Reason for the season. Here is a theme tree decorated with such ornaments. The tree is four feet tall, lighted with clear mini lights. Trimmings for the tree include a gold bead garland, glass balls in gold, ivory and peach.

The tree is topped by an angel

Under the tree is the second nativity set I got for the collection. It was bought in December 1991 at Brooks Drugstore.

Here are closeups of the various nativity ornaments. They are of blown glass, wood, spun crystal, metals, plastic, resin, and so on. Most were bought brand new, but there are also many that are vintage.


For more Trim the Tree posts see the list at Brettinsky’s blog, now titled The Southern Hostess.

Trim the Tree Thursday - Hallmark Mini Ornaments

For the past two or three Christmases I placed my collection of tiny angel ornaments by Hallmark on a tiny tree. The tree is just 12 inches tall and works just well for the tiny ornaments. Vintage glass balls from thrift and antique stores fill out the branches.

Here is a close-up of the ornaments.

The tree is set in a square holiday tin. In front is the Hallmank Merry Miniature nativity, which is in five pieces – Mary and Joseph together, Jesus in his manger crib, and three separate Wee Three Kings.

Another 12-inch tree holds nativity ornaments. A pierced gold star tops the tree.

Note the tiny nativities. Vintage glass balls fill out the lighted branches

Under the tree is a small stained glass nativity scene

More Trim a Tree Thursday posts are listed at Brettinsky’s blog.