Amelia Island holly

Amelia Island holly
Amelia sand dune

Thursday, December 12, 2013

CELEBRATING THE REASON FOR THE SEASON

'Tis the season on the Island.  Every weekend there is something to see, to enjoy.  Last weekend was the well known Christmas Home Tour, many of our victorian beauties decorated in period finery with innkeepers to match.  We wandered down to the Farmer's market on Saturday morning.  Parking right in front of the imposing Methodist church we noticed some doings there.




                                                           United Methodist Church
                                                                 601 Centre St.
                                                          Downtown Fernandina Beach
                                                                  Amelia Island


 Sure enough there was an incredible collection of Nativity Sets on display and called
"No Room at the Inn".  
Admission was free, donations for the homeless of our area.  

Nearly 100 nativity sets were arranged all around the Church interior, the little chapel and the parsonage next door.  What a delight !!!  How have we missed this other years?  This is just a sample of what we enjoyed.
  
 All was surrounded by Christmas flowers.  Each set had been donated by Church members.  Out on the victorian porch a group of church members serenaded with their carols.






The display began with the utterly simple.




             
                  To more elaborate ones like this one was set into an old stereo speaker which made a perfect sanctuary for it.


Here is an African set….


This was one of my favorites….


or was it this one, set on the window sill of the lovely tiny Chapel in this historic Church.




A wonderful Native American set



This beautiful set  below is indeed different.  I do not remember its origins.

There were many more, some very elaborate with shepards and Wise Men 
and Angels and landscaped settings.  

All of it within the victorian architecture of wood we no longer see. 
This historic Church is a beautiful edifice all on its own.  It was built in 1926, finally finished in 1952.
Its lovely Chapel  was dedicated in 1938.  









1927 cover of The Saturday Evening Post
my favorite photo for this Christmas
found on Pinterest


The No Room at the Inn display as well as the lovely card of the Madonna and Child
reminds us of the true Christmas meaning.
This Island has not forgotten it.


May this Christmas be full of its real meaning for you and yours
from this blogger and hers…

CHRISTMAS BLESSINGS