Oct. 30, 2008 - One 2 Believe
As some of you know I am now an alternate for the TOS review group. So from time to time I will be receiving real or virtual products to use and review.
Imagine my surprise when we received the Nativity Set from One 2 Believe. Unfortunately my computer deleted all the pictures I had taken of the children enjoying their first few hours with the set. The set came with 17 pieces. Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus in a manger, King #1, King #2, King #3, Angel #1, Angel #2, Shepherd #1, Shepherd #2, male donkey, male camel, male sheep, female sheep, stable, tree and barrel of hay. Also included is the mini storybook. This is for ages 3 and up but my 2 year old had fun playing with it and there were no issues of putting anything in his mouth. One 2 Believe is a business that wants to take over your toy box with Christian, faith building toys. Which is wonderful! They have a wide assortment of toys for boys and girls whose parents want them to eventually be men and women for Christ who raise a third generation of boys and girls for Christ. Sounds like a great generational heritage to pass on to our children? The quality of the Nativity set was great! We haven't had anything break and this is from hours of play and my middle daughter carting the pieces around in a bucket on our car rides LOL. The pieces are solid and well made. While I am one to make sure that things are as historically accurate as possible, I prefer to have the wise men a distance from the whole scene as they weren't mentioned seeing Jesus until he was a child who was walking, but for children this doesn't bother them and I won't nag with details until they get older. So my children have enjoyed making the angels play out the singing from the Heavens and eventually having them singing over the birth of the new King! It is fun to watch them play with something that I would not be ashamed to have them playing with should our Savior walk through the door at any given time. Don't take this to mean their toy boxes are filled with other mean spirited things, because they aren't, but this just seems a much better use of their time in understanding Biblical truths as they are given to us in the Bible. The set comes with a short book and a version of the arrival of Jesus but for older children it would work to actually read the story from the Bible while allowing each child to have a 'part' and allow them to act out the scene while you read it. I think it would be neat to have an older, child Jesus add-on so that one can act out the wise men arriving to pay honor to their King.
Overall, this was a great product and I would encourage you to go over to One 2 Believe and take a look around to see the Nativity set and the other toys that are available, and just think it's just in time for a great Christmas present and something to tie together the whole meaning of why we as Christians celebrate Christmas to begin with. I think that given the quality of the Nativity playset that the other toys would be right up there with this and be of exceptional quality. One 2 Believe also offers Bible points on their toys which can be redeemed for free toys in their store!
