Christmas Collections: Residents Share Their Beloved Nativity Scenes for the Holidays
Our residents’ homes, halls and porches are decked in holiday cheer each year for the season. Many of our residents have collected memorable nativity scenes during their years of traveling. These collections of their favorite nativities exhibit the true meaning of Christmas. Let our residents tell you about their favorite nativity scenes and why they are so special during the holidays.
Carolyn Achee’s Brass Nativity
Carolyn Achee and her husband, Wayne purchased their first nativity scene 60 years ago, and since then, the Achee’s collection has grown. They have passed many sets down to their grandchildren. But their most coveted scene that remains with them in their St. James Place residence is this 1980s brass rendering.
“This tiny brass has the best story! In the mid 1980’s, we were in Santa Fe at the Oil and Gas Convention. I was window shopping — dragging Wayne, who absolutely hates shopping of any kind — when I saw this precious little nativity. I just oohed and awed over it! So my dear husband, who not only doesn’t shop, but does not buy, went back and bought it later in the day. He put it in his luggage, carried it home, and gave it to me for Christmas! It’s a very special nativity!”
Beverly Tipton’s Stained Glass Nativity
Tip and Beverly Tipton’s nativity collection is 55 years in the making. Beverly purchased several sets from faith-related organizations, where a portion of the proceeds was returned to the artisans. When Tip was a pastor of a multicultural church in Orlando, church members often gifted nativities to add to their collection. Beverly admires how the creations depict the culture of those who made them. One of her most cherished scenes is this 9-piece stained glass set by a San Antonio artist that was gifted to her more than 40 years ago.
“Tip and I had been to a conference at Mo-Ranch Presbyterian Conference Center outside Hunt, Texas. We stopped in San Antonio and toured the River Walk on the way home. One of the shops in La Villita was operated by a stained-glass artist. I saw the nativity set and loved it, but knew there was no way we could afford it. Tip was pastoring two small South Louisiana churches. I was not employed but planning to return to school to get my teaching certificate, and our son would soon enter an expensive, private Presbyterian college — to say that we had no extra money was an understatement. Months later on my December 6th birthday, I opened a gift from Tip, and there was the stained-glass nativity set. To this day, I do not know where he got the money to buy it. I have always treasured it; for its beauty, for what it represents, and for the love that made it mine.”
Ginnie Bolin’s Crèche Nativity Scene
Ginnie Bolin’s treasured 30-year-old crèche is on display at her garden home every Christmas, nestled around greenery on her porch.
“My crèche is important to me, because it represents the true meaning of Christmas. My family has a tradition to put the nativity scene under the tree so the little ones could play with the set. We would spend hours playing with figurines under the tree. I continued with a set my husband gave me for our first Christmas together. I kept adding one figurine each Christmas. When my children were older, they would give me one for my birthday in December, and my grandchildren carried on the tradition of playing under my tree.”
Gayle Smith’s Pillar of Heaven
Gayle Smith and her husband, Donald have traveled the world, bringing home nativity scenes from different countries to build their extensive collection of over 50 sets. After downsizing and giving many of those sets to their children, Gayle kept one of her most unique and adored sets purchased just 8 years ago from a Christmas shop in Tyler, Texas.
“Donald and I were visiting our oldest friend from college, and when I heard about the shop, I was destined to go find this nativity. Even though I had 50 nativities, this one was special. The set is called The Pillar of Heaven and is poured from resin then molded to look like realistic wood — almost everyone who sees it thinks that it is made from wood. My favorite part of the Pillar of Heaven is setting up the figurines every year and rearranging it several times throughout the season, as well as the Bible passages inscribed on the back of each piece telling the story of the First Noel and reminding us all of the true meaning of Christmas.”
Margy Graham’s Hand-Carved Nativity
Twenty-five years ago, Margy Graham’s father, Ray Sturrup, created this nativity scene that now holds a special place in her heart. Using his love of woodworking and carving, Ray hand carved this one-of-a-kind set and gifted it to Margy, who displays the scene every year.
“To me, this is the most special of all his work,” Margy said. “I am so grateful he left it to me, and I am reminded of his love and talent every Christmas.”
Get to know more about our residents’ traditions, and see what St. James Place has in store you by scheduling a private tour.