Memories, memories...my tree is full of so many different kinds of ornaments -many hand made-gifts from students, friends, places, my own designs , my children's' creations... times in my life that all come together in one place at one beautiful time of the year. My nativity set is a mix of figurines from my parents home, my mother in laws home and little French "santons" (little saints). The French tradition is that all the people in the village come to the creche and should all be represented there. They have a contest each year for the best santon maker in all of France. I remember the day that I was able to visit the shop of a master santon maker near Aix en Provence. Even though that was a special opportunity from God, I think of how He is our master Santon maker and as we gather around the creche this year I pray that all of you would remember how much you are loved and why He came as that little baby.
