I put up our Nativity scene last weekend. It’s a vintage manger with much-loved and slightly dog-eared figurines that I inherited from my mother. You’ve probably seen similar versions, at garage sales or antique stores.

For some reason, it never got set up last year.  But since this is the 20th anniversary of my mom’s passing, I wanted to be sure to set it up this year, in her honor.

As I gently unwrapped the figurines, I recalled how she, my sister and I would make a pilgrimage to the local discount department store each year to pick out one or two more pieces to add to the scene…maybe a sheep or the goat, an angel, a camel or a shepherd. I never realized at that time how the purchase of even those tiny nativity pieces undoubtedly put a strain on our family budget.

One new piece would join the stable scene, then be carefully wrapped away each year to be opened the next by two wide-eyed sisters, always intent on being the lucky one to unwrap the baby Jesus.

The little nativity wears a history of love, having seen almost every Christmas since before I was born. It is still stored in the time-stained Gerber baby food box with my mother’s handwriting “creche” on a label so it could be found on the shelves amid other holiday treasures. Several figures are missing a paint chip or two and the manger is now bereft of the straw I recall of years gone by.

I’ve often seen other sets and could easily add to the set or replace imperfect pieces. I’ve chosen to keep it exactly as I inherited it. I suppose in some ways, it reflects how time has chipped away at me and worn away some of my “edges” over the years. Besides, some traditions are too precious to change.

Whatever your religion, beliefs, and practices, here’s wishing you a holiday season rich in warm and wonderful memories and traditions.

Originally published in the December 23 issue of Beyond the Nest’s free weekly newsletter of Arts, Culture and Recreation.