My home is not ready for Christmas until I have set up this Nativity scene, made by my mother. She deliberately did not paint the ceramic pieces in bright colors, preferring the cream color and deeper highlights. I think she made it very early in my life, but the pieces bear no date, only her initials, and I didn’t think to clarify this before she died 10 years ago. I love the camels, the shepherd with the dog. She didn’t like the tradition of waiting until Christmas Eve to place the Christ child so he is glued into place.