100 Nativities

New day, new post. We love the Christmas season! There seems to be an adventure every day. The other day I read in the Salt Lake Tribune about a family from West Valley that had collected over 100 nativities from around the world. The Hyde family commissions artists from Africa, South America and Asia. They pay the artists to create the works and then make them available on their website. They call it a "family service project" and collect no profits for themselves, but provide a market for artists from struggling countries.

The Hyde's display 100 nativities from Africa, South America, and Asia. Some of the standouts include a nativity hammered out of shell casings from Liberia using cartridges collect during the Liberian civil war, a nativity made by the grandmothers of a village in Lesotho primarily out of wool, and a nativity made from an abandoned oil drum from what's left of Haiti.

Though the free tour might not be for everyone, we enjoyed it very much. Our boys were great, and the host tried to make it fun for children, though in essence, it was a 30 minute lecture. There was a coloring station, and our boys, ages 2 and 5, played African drums and instruments as we sang Jingle Bells.

Playing the drums!

Playing his shaker with dad!

    



















This event was free, but required a reservation. Watch your kids closely (if you dare take them) because there are obviously many breakables. We enjoyed this homey show and we're impressed at another family's selfless Christmas tradition.

Here is a link to the website to make a reservation: Tours
Here is a link to the website where you can buy a nativity and support a struggling artist: http://www.worldnativity.com/products/?id=15.1

Their bookcase filled with nativities.

Looking at a nativity from Europe made of corn husks.

Mom's favorite from Nicaragua.

Our 6 year-old's favorite from South Africa.

Dad's favorite from Lesotho.