Behold!

I've never had such trepidation in making a cookie as I have making cookies representing the nativity scene.

Why?

Well, first off I wanted them to be wonderful and beautiful, just like the birth of Jesus Christ.

Second, I was scared of them turning out ugly and odd looking.

And also because they were huge.

Incredibly large cookie cutters.

Apparently I didn't read the description on size when I ordered these.

Honestly, the wisemen and camel is about 6 inches tall.  At least.

Originally I'd bought these cutters because a customer asked if I could do nativity cookies.  But upon getting the cookie cutters in hand I knew that I'd have to charge her a ton to make them since they were so big, not to mention that I wasn't too sure on how to decorate them.

But my mother convinced me to try.  And to send them to one of her closest friends who is a Minister of a Presbyterian Church up in Milwaukee.  Her name is Jean Dow - if you're in the Milwaukee area I strongly suggest visiting her church, Immanuel Presbyterian.  She's wonderful - and she came back home to Lincoln to marry my husband and I four years ago. 

It's something I know I will cherish forever.  As will my mom and my grandma.

Back to nativity cookies.

They are chocolate.

Yeah I tried out a new chocolate sugar cookie recipe.  I'm not in love.  It needs to be tweaked.  But it's better than my old one.  So progress is being made.

After baking the cookies I still wasn't sure about how to decorate them.  I'd somewhat put it off.  But I did think that I should make a base layer of white.  Why?  I don't know. 

I think it was my stalling tactic.

Either way fresh white cookies look pretty.

And it gave me an idea.  Stained glass.  Or something resembling stained glass.

It not only looked simple and clean but also reminded me of all the stained glass windows in our church growing up.  And how on Christmas Eve at the candle light service they seemed to always glow.

So after outlining, I started flooding.  And flooding.  And praying.

They still aren't perfect yet. 

I decided that I needed to outline each section.  At first I thought in the same color as the flood, but then I thought...what about black?  Like actual stained glass.

Hmmmmm.

Do I dare try?

Seeing as how I only made one cookie of each?

Dang me for not making more.

Shockingly...it worked!

From shepherd drawing...

to reality

Wiseman & camel in pencil...

Completed.

Joseph as an idea...

Joseph as himself.

Mary in concept...

In all her glory.

Sleeping baby Jesus in paper form...

Complete.

The nativity scene finally done!

Overall, I'd give it a 8 out of 10.  I like the stained glass idea, it just needs perfection.

Overall, it's not necessarily about the cookies but what this time of year means. 

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

 

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

 

-Luke 2:8-14

 

Merry Christmas from our house to yours!