Hi all!
We finally - around two days before Christmas - got our annual Playmobil nativity and train set up. Since we are unsure what the future holds in terms of where we will be living, we decided not to get out all out Christmas decorations, but rather to leave them packed up and ready to move in case that proves necessary.
So we made some new decorations from scratch - I papered a 6 foot by 6 foot part of the wall with packaging paper, then we all cut out stars and ornaments and such and decorated it. I think it came out terrific and it makes a perfect backdrop for the train layout and nativity.
This year, one thing we did differently is adding a hill for the shepherds.
The decree for the census is read from the balcony of the inn at Bethlehem.
The innkeeper manages a smile, though he is none to happy with the Romans in his inn.
The innkeeper's wife watches as Roman soldiers set out in the early morning to harass the local citizens ...
And find a beggar to abuse.
Joseph and Mary travel to Bethlehem to participate in the census.
And the angels sing of the arrival of a Savior.
A boy plays his drums for the new king, as a wise man brings a more costly, but not more valuable, gift.
A wider view of the inn.
And this year a stowaway was detected on the annual Christmas train run!
Also, a picture of the kids' loot. The grandparents came up big, getting an arena for Merboy and a hospital for Sirena.
Lastly, while dear old dad did not get any Playmobil for Christmas, he did receive a package from a German friend just a few days earlier with a small surprise. With all that is going on in our lives right now, it was as welcome as it was unexpected!
I hope everyone here had a wonderful Christmas, and that the coming year brings blessings and happiness beyond our imaginings!
