Two years ago, I wrote about my childhood Nativity set. I wrote about the details and one particular Christmas that continues to stand out in my memory. However, this year… Well, this year I haven’t written much. There are multiple reasons for it, but I felt like I needed to close this year off with a post. The more I thought about it, the more I wasn’t sure what to write about. Then, as I was taking my pictures for The Wisemen Journey, it hit me: The Wisemen.
For the past few years, I have posted my daily photos of the three Wisemen as they make their way ‘round about my front room in their efforts to reach the Christ child and pay their respects. Over the years these figures have done some crazy things. Every year, they are disassembled and reassembled—for storage and from storage, respectively. On their journey, I will put stuff in their hands, or change their clothes (mostly just capes and crowns). This is going to create wear and tear on the plastic figures. And, about a week ago it hit me, “What happens when they break?”
I had not really thought about this before. We have just had them for so long. And Playmobil is such a solid toy brand. I was lost for a moment and sad at the possibility of not getting to document a silly story with my Wisemen anymore. What to do?
I still remember finding the sets, all those years ago. My wife and I had been looking for the perfect set. We wanted one with a removable baby Jesus so the children could have the same memory I enjoyed as a child of taking turns and setting the infant into the manger on Christmas Eve. However, regardless of how much we searched, we never found one. Then, one year, while in the toy section of our local Target, there they were: Playmobil’s Nativity. But no wise men. Poo. Then, just off to the left, there they were (in separate boxes): Playmobil’s Wise Men set. Perfect!
There was a removable baby Jesus to put in the manger on Christmas Eve. The whole thing came in a reasonably sized box for storage. It was a toy. We had all the things we wanted. It was a toy. We didn’t have to worry about the children dropping and breaking anything. It was a toy. It was everything we wanted plus, it was a toy. Everything about it suited our family just perfectly.
The next year, we found the set at our local Target again. This time, however, the wise men came with the Nativity in one set. Fine. Things change. No problem.
Over the years, I have seen different sets appear. Ours has a cardstock nativity and background. It will eventually rip or tear (to date it has not) and will need replacing. So far, no little bits or bobs have been lost. I’m sure, one day something will. The only real injury is Gaspar’s golden crown, which has cracked. I don’t know when or how, but one year, there it was, cracked. Oh well. But, I guess that’s what started this line of thought this year. What if…? or When…? and to a lesser degree, How will I…?
I’ve grown accustomed to the fiction of the personalities I have created for these three fellas. Balthazar: The stalwart leader. So serious. Usually right, but sometimes in need of redirection. Melchior: The only one to break the fourth wall. A combination of intelligence and slight sarcasm. He is the middle ground between the other two. Then there’s Gaspar: The goofy one. The silly, innocent, child-like one. He is impulsive and lovable. Sometimes it is his naiveté that corrects the group’s errors. I know they’re not real, but they’ve almost become that way to me, over the years.
Some of the newer sets I have seen have a nice plastic Nativity—solid. The new people could be extras—for when the original ones… um, part ways, so to speak. But they always look too fancy for my taste. They just don’t have the ‘feel’ that ours do. Yes, I know eBay and other similar sites exist. But how much time and money do I spend on this?
In my post about my childhood set, I mentioned how some of the ceramic figures broke. We had two camels, then one. Joseph broke and was replaced by a wise man—it worked. So, where am I going with this? Honestly, I’m not sure.
As I write this I feel a little better. Kind of like when you just need to talk it out to hear the words, then you know what you gotta do, sort of thing. I know I will need to find replacement parts—eventually. I know they can’t last forever—but I want them to.
I would like to think that one of my children will continue this tradition, but I doubt it. Not that I’m aiming for pessimism here, but just being realistic that not every family tradition gets passed on—no matter how hard you might try, or want it to.
For all of you who have been supportive of my blog over the years, thank you. Sincerely. For those of you who have come for my Journey of the Wismen, again, a sincere thank you.
I hope this holiday finds you all well and good, and may the blessings of God surround you and your families. If you just got here and have no idea what I’m talking about, here is a link to Day 1 of this year’s journey. Happy Christmas!
Almost Heroes 