My paternal grandparents own a small, wooden manger scene which they place on the same table in their home every year at Christmas time. The stable was made by my grandmother's father and some of the figurines were owned by her mother. The figures of Joseph, Mary, the Three Wise Men, and the various animals and shepherds stay on display for the entire Christmas season. In the center of the whole scene is an empty cradle.  Every year on Christmas day, one of the grandchildren flips over the empty cradle to reveal the baby Jesus carved into the other side. Sometimes, when we were younger, we would argue about who got to flip the figurine over. Every year, my family and I celebrate Christmas at my paternal grandparents house, and this manger scene reminds us of the true meaning behind our celebrations, the coming of Jesus Christ. It also reminds us of our Irish and Italian Catholic heritage. My paternal grandmother’s side of the family immigrated to the United States four generations before me from Ireland to Massachusetts to escape the Potato Famine as they had no money or land to farm. My paternal grandfather’s side of the family immigrated to the United States four generations before me from Italy to provide better opportunities for their children. Due to both of my grandparents coming from European Catholic heritages, the whole paternal side of my family as well as myself were raised with Catholic beliefs and traditions, which is why this manger scene is put on display every Christmas at my grandparent’s house, as a reminder of who and where our traditions cam from. 

– CA

Relationship:  Great-grandchild of im/migrant or more Great-grandchild of im/migrant or more