Away in a manger....

Another tradition I have at Christmas is to put up my little crib.  My dad gives me some holly from his garden and it makes me feel so full of festive spirit when I look at it. It sits on the shelf between the dining room and the hall. Some of the figures are from my Hb and I were first married, the walking camel was from my childhood and some we have bought at the German markets visited over the years.

I thought today's card should be a reflection of the real meaning of Christmas and the message of peace and goodwill towards our fellow man. Something which this year is even more important, with everything going on in this, at times, crazy world that we live in.

 My image is from the Graphic Fairy. The backing card in ancient from my stash. I have used Memory box, spellbinders and Joanne Sheen die cuts.

I would like to enter my card into the following challenges;

Pixies' crafty playground 3/3 #208 and #209
Inspiration Emporium 'tis the season
Emerald Creek Dares celebrations around the world
Crafty hazelnut Anything Christmas
 Papertake weekly favourite ever challenge it's the last one there and I will really miss it, it was one of the earliest challenges I entered 5 years ago. My favourite challenge for this entry is my all time favourite of anything goes.
Country View Challenges make a scene
Little Claire's a special Christmas card this was a very special card I made for my Aunt.
Crafty Friends 2/3 anything goes

I have a couple of lovely passages which I may have shared before here but I think they sum up Christmas for me.

There's more, much more, to Christmas Than candlelight and cheer; It's the spirit of sweet friendship That brightens all year. It's thoughtfulness and kindness, It's hope reborn again, For peace, for understanding, And for goodwill to men! (Anon)

Somehow not only for Christmas
But all the long year through,
The joy that you give to others
Is the joy that comes back to you.

And the more you spend in blessing
The poor and lonely and sad,
The more of your heart's possessing
Returns to make you glad.

(John Greenleaf Whittier)

I know that a lot of you will be off now to see family and friends and if that is you I would like to wish you a safe journey and a wonderful Christmas. Thank you for your blogging friendship and for all your kind visits and comments.

For those of you who are staying put I will be here again tomorrow for my final Jane's Journal countdown to Christmas post 2015. Yes just 2 more sleeps.....

Bye for now,

Jane x