One fun way to celebrate the Nativity is to have a tree dedicated specifically to the Nativity Story.'
Here is mine this year -- the ribbon is printed in Gold and includes many of the names of the Savior. I have collected over 40 ornaments, so it slowly grew from a small twig of a tree to the full tree shown here. You can find more ideas for the Nativity tree in the 12-day Nativity.
I love all the different varieties of ornaments: blown glass, wood, fabric, ceramic, metal. Some were collected while traveling, and others given as gifts by dear friends over the years. As soon as the ornaments go up in the stores, I'm usually there to pick through them for the first official ornament of Christmas!
One of the things I love about the Nativity ornaments is that it often reduces the nativity to just the Holy Family. The small scale creates a real intimacy between Joseph, Mary and the baby. Just a momma, daddy and a baby encircled in one another's arms.
Here are a few of my favorites:
