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The Ministry of VINTAGE Toys and Joys

Christmas Toys

My guest today is Kathryn Ross. Her love of history, beauty and poetry come together naturally and I know you will enjoy her story of vintage toys and joys. Be sure to leave your comment for Kathryn. She is giving away a copy of her chap book called, Fragrant Fields.

Vintage Toys

Restoration through Remembrance: The Ministry of VINTAGE Toys and Joys

By Kathryn Ross of The Writer’s Reverie

I save old things.

They’re tangible memories to look upon with a wisp of a glance in the midst of a busy day.  Memorials of slower times when innocent joys skipped gaily about in my childlike imaginings, these remnants of bygone days minister a mental respite.

I save Christmas.  Especially Christmas.

Each year I stop the clock, turn it back, and deck the halls with my nostalgic Christmas tree. It delights and comforts me—soul and spirit.

Draped with vintage and retro styled ornaments, the tree keeps watch over a display of vintage toys and Christmas kitsch.  Actual presents from my childhood sit beneath starlit branches. Old moments of innocent joys become new again.

I’m not ashamed to admit that I remain connected to the wonder and delight of my youth. Especially at Christmas we should strive to do so—entering the blessed season as a little child. To own tangible elements of days long gone captivates my present heart with pause.

And, in pausing . . . the power of renewal is within my grasp.

Raggedy Ann was given to me in Christmas 1961. Forty-plus years later, she still wears her original clothes. Placing her under my vintage Christmas tree, thoughts of our history together return. I remember the crisp frost of fall when I lost her.

I’d been playing with her outside. She wasn’t wearing her dress and pinafore. Mother called me indoors and I left her, forgotten, in the yard. Play days were traded for cold, rainy school days. Leaves blanketed the yard. I found her abandoned clothes in the toy box, but had no memory of where she might have gotten to.

A handful of weeks passed before a weekend without rain allowed my father to finally rake leaves. That’s when we found her. Face down in the dirt. Filthy. Stained. Damp and distraught for being so deserted.

It was a bittersweet moment to see her again. She had been lost to me and, though joyful in our reunion, it stung to realize it was my own careless fault to discover her in such a state.

Redeemed from the frigid outer regions, Mother made restoration. Warmed with a towel to absorb the wet, she gently washed the dirt away as best could be. Though much improved, poor Raggedy would forever bear some stains of the experience.

But, she was mine. Restored to me. And beautiful again in her blue floral dress with white pinafore.

So redeemed, she currently resides under my nostalgic Christmas tree. Hers is the Christmas story made tangible to me. I think of an innocent Child born, then abandoned, because of my sin, on a cross to die. And then, risen! Restored! Yet, bearing still my sin’s stains on His hands and feet.

It’s an old story told. It’s a vintage toy saved. A precious and tangible memory to arrest my hectic heart in the midst of a busy day with great joy.

I pause. I ponder. And in such a moment, prayer happens. Time slows to a stop and joys skip gaily about in my childlike imaginings.

Vintage Toys

Christmas Toys

Do you have childhood Christmas vintage toys you still treasure and display this time of year?

Tell me your story in the comments below. We’ll choose a winner to enjoy a complimentary copy of my devotional poetry chap book, Fragrant Fields: The Writer’s Reverie Collection.

Christmas Toys

 

Tweetables:

Raggedy Ann was given to me in Christmas 1961 [Click to Tweet]

Hers is the Christmas story made tangible to me [Click to Tweet]

Do you have vintage toys you still treasure? [Click to Tweet]

 

Christmas ToysKathryn Ross is a writer, speaker, and enrichment artist inspiring a love of God through the power of story! Delighting audiences in Southern New Jersey, she ministers family literacy and discipleship in Christian living designed for schools, churches, women’s groups, retreats, and conferences. Trained in Principle Approach Education ®, Miss Kathy is an independent publisher at Pageant Wagon Publishing. She mentors Christian writers, specializing in teaching and learning literature for homeschool, churches, and women’s ministries, including Fable Springs Parables picture books and study guides, and Clementine Jones Drama and Derring-Do Books. She blogs at www.thewritersreverie.com. Learn more at www.pageantwagonpublishing.com.

 

 

Order a copy of Fragrant Fields in paperback or Kindle:

Raggedy Ann is still a favorite Christmas toy

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20 thoughts on “The Ministry of VINTAGE Toys and Joys”

  1. Janice Elaine Bergeron

    My Dear Kathryn, I do not know what to say………..
    your story is so precious!! So like our Savior, He picks us up, washes us off, and though we bear some of the past experiences, He doesn’t see them. Used and useful, we become somewhat like the “velveteen rabbit”
    I do not have any of the toys from my youth…..76 years ago. But the memories……..oh, the memories, savored in a time lapse of my mind. You are unique, I love your ability to cherish that which was………
    Bless you, Jan

    1. Hi Janice! I’m finally getting a chance to reply to everyone from my post earlier this month about vintage toys and joys. I’m so blessed to know that YOU were blessed. I love keeping the tangible memories of the past alive–each one has a story related to a significant soul who has lived, loved, and laughed, made in His image. Worthy souvenirs!
      Christmas joy to you!
      Kathy

    1. Mary, I am also not a saver (or at least I end up saving the wrong things). I do have a toy that I had as a one year old. It has shapes that fit into a puzzle and keys to release them from the shape sorter. I remember playing with it for hours. But, it is no where near as romantic as Raggedy Ann who was left out in the garden without clothes.

  2. I’m not sure how I connected with your blog, but I followed the link and read Raggedy Ann’s story. I’m glad I did. I love seeing how fellow Christians use their experiences to see God’s Word clearly. Merry Christmas to you!

    1. Thanks for visiting, Anita. I am glad you found us 🙂
      Our story is in God’s story and I love how it weaves to tell His story in our lives. Kathryn did a great job–so thank you for sharing your comment with her.
      Raggedy Ann is such a sweet story. Did you know she was invented by a dad for his daughter, Marcella. She was sick and soon the Raggedy Ann because the poster-toy for immunizations. It’s been a long time since I looked at that. I need to go back to my sources again 🙂

  3. This story is delightful and reminders me of how the Velveteen Rabbit got left out of doors. It brought warmth to my heart. I do not have vintage toys as you describe, but after reading your story I wish I did. I would not only enjoy them, but I think my grandchildren would as well.

    1. Pam, I feel the same way. I don’t have some of those treasures either. I tend to get rid of things to easily I guess. Thanks for sharing your heart.
      My husband did buy me a Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy Doll a few years ago. So, they can be my grand kid’s treasures soon.

    2. Hi Anita! I’m so glad you connected, too–and you’ve WON the give-away!! I’ll be mailing out on Monday so look in the mail later in the week. I hope your blessed with more of my musings connecting God through the glories of His creation.
      Christmas Blessings to you!
      Joy!
      Kathy

    3. Hi Pam. I’m blessed to know your heart was warmed by Raggedy Ann’s story. I’m a bit of a collector–though hubby might call me a bit of a hoarder. However, I use all my vintage goodies in ministry to tell just these kinds of stories. Hoping to warm many hearts towards the heart of God.
      Christmas joys to you!
      Kathy

  4. Congratulations to Anita Johnson. You have won a copy of Miss Kathy’s book. Please contact me with your email address and mailing address so we can get that sent out to you.

    Merry Christmas to you,

    1. Got Anita’s address and packaging up her devotional for a Monday mail-out. Thanks so much for featuring my little story, Jeanne! I’m so blessed so many hearts were touched with cheer and warmth.
      Joy to you!
      Kathy

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