Mary and Joseph

Mary and Joseph Ornaments Set

hen I decided to create a Nativity ornaments collection, my mind immediately transported me to my childhood in Venezuela. We celebrated the arrival of the season with Christmas Pageants and Christmas concerts, all in preparation for the arrival of the Christ Child. These memories as part of my inspiration for creating the Mary and Joseph ornaments set. The original version of this set represents The Holy Family, since the Virgin Mary is holding Baby Jesus. A few years later, I created a different version without Baby Jesus because I had created a new ornament of Baby Jesus in the manger.

Mary and Joseph Ornaments Set Design Process

The Christmas Pageant

When I was in grade school, the school put together a Christmas Pageant every year. Unfortunately, the teachers would always select a blonde and fair complexion girl to play the role of Mary. One year, my twin sister played the role of Saint Joseph (we attended an all-girls school). I vividly remember the costume that my mom made for her. It was made mostly from brown and drab-green color fabric. And my mom had even added Saint Joseph’s blooming staff adorned with lily blooms. These memories inspired my design for the Holy Family ornaments.

The Design

I never understood why Mary is often depicted with light hair. So I created Mary as a brunette with long braided hair. I dressed her in all-sort-of-blue-tones robes. Despite her humble upbringing, I added details that clue us on her regal statue as the mother of Jesus, like the sequins that adorn her ponytails and the lace edging her robe. Finally, I gave her a glittery halo to emphasize her glorious being. Subsequently, to make Baby Jesus, I used a small wooden bead for the head. Then, I made His body from white felt that represents His swaddling clothes. To complete Him, I added a halo made from colorful shiny paper with gold accents.

My Joseph ornament is inspired in the costume my mom made my sister once upon a Christmas. I chose brow and green cotton fabrics to make his robe and cloak. I hand-painted his face and gave him jet-black hair. Like Mary, I added a gold medallion to indicate his sainthood as the father of Jesus. To complete the character, I gave him a staff. As the accounts tell us, Joseph’s staff has lily blooms on the top which emphasizes his divine nature as Mary’s spouse.

Specifications

Year Designed

• • The Holy Family – 2013

  • Mary without Baby Jesus – 2017

Size

• • Mary – actual sizes may vary, approximately 2.0” x 2.0” x 3.5”

  • Joseph – actual sizes may vary, approximately 2.0” x 2.0” x 3.5”

Materials

Cardboard tubes, fabric, trims, yarn, lace, sequins, ribbons, beads, paint, silk flowers.

Note: Given the handmade nature of the ornament, all ornaments are different. The pictures depict just one sample of the ornament.