This is the nativity scene that my grandmother displayed in her living room window at Christmas time. Every December 1st grandma and I would pull the nativity out of the box and place it in the window. There is a music box inside that plays "Silent Night" when you wound the top of the box and the three wise men would rotate through the barn visiting Joseph and Mary bringing gifts to baby Jesus. The significance behind this yearly ritual was based on the first house my grandparents owned in Ohio after they took the long trip from Germany. This nativity was bought at a drug store and was the first and only decoration they had in the house when my grandfather and grandmother were married for their first year. The tradition of placing the nativity in the window began when my dad was five and every year the story of the nativity was told as it made its way to the window. This began in 1948 and continued until I was old enough to pick up the tradition where my father left off. Religion holds a very important role in my family and the small traditions helped remind us of how the holidays would bring belief into the season. I have the nativity in my possession this year to continue the tradition that has been in my family for years. Now both of my sons will put the nativity in the window of our house and I will tell the story that I was told every year so they can understand how important tradition and belief are with our family. 

– SJK

Relationship:  Grandchild of im/migrant Grandchild of im/migrant