About Us
Thank you for visiting Noel Nativities!
Our nativities are truly special, each one uniquely handcrafted from cedar wood with great care and attention.
We’re located in the charming town of Williamston, Eastern NC, where all the magic happens in our cozy 850-square-foot workshop.
The talented craftsman behind these beautiful creations is Ed Coulbourn.
With over 30 years of experience in the timber industry as a logger, Ed has always loved working with different types of wood and building unique pieces.
He made his first nativity back in the 1980s, and his passion for creating them has only grown since then.
We’re so glad you stopped by and hope you enjoy our heartfelt designs as much as we love making them!
Our Story
As Ed Coulbourn’s daughter, Betty Cantrell, I am excited to share why this nativity holds a special place in our family’s story. Our journey with the nativity began in the 1930s when my grandmother, Martha Coulbourn, received the first nativity as a Christmas gift.
Every holiday season, she lovingly displayed it, capturing the beauty and essence of Jesus’ birth.
My father, Ed Coulbourn, was the youngest of five children and grew up with four older sisters. As a child, he would marvel at the nativity, enchanted by its portrayal of the sacred event. Years later, as the siblings entered adulthood, my grandmother faced the challenge of finding a meaningful gift for my parents. Sharing her dilemma with one of my aunts, an unexpected solution arose: my aunt had “permanently borrowed” the treasured nativity without my grandmother’s knowledge.
Recognizing how much my father cherished it, my aunt confessed, and they decided it would be the perfect present. That Christmas, my parents received the nativity, which they have treasured ever since. Today, it remains proudly displayed in their home all year.
Over time, my father’s appreciation for the nativity inspired him to craft a new one for my aunt, honoring the family tradition. This sparked a passion that led him to create nativities for friends and loved ones, each one more refined than the last. The heartfelt support and encouragement he received spurred him to continue and eventually share his handcrafted creations with others.
Now, we are honored to share this unique design with the world.
To us, the nativity symbolizes God’s perfect gift to humanity. Jesus, who was without sin, came down from heaven to become the sacrifice for all. He is the Great I Am, the one in whom we place our trust. “Noel” means good news, a joyful proclamation.
The story of Jesus’ miraculous birth in a humble stable is at the heart of why we celebrate Christmas.
Betty Cantrell, Cofounder of Noel’s Nativities