In the lead-up to Christmas, 45 nativity sets from all over the world are being displayed at St. Leonard’s on the Hill Anglican Church in Red Deer.
Some are just a few inches tall and made of humble materials, while others are lavishly trimmed in gold, or large enough to fill a cabinet.
The hope is people will be drawn away from their busy shopping, tree trimming, present wrapping activities for a moment of meditation and quiet reflection on the original meaning of Christmas, said parishioner Pearl Franz.
Starting a church display of nativity sets was suggested last month at a meeting of the St. Leonard’s ladies group. Many members favoured putting more focus “on the reason for the season,” explained Franz.
They noticed that a lot of public buildings are no longer including religious nativity sets in their Christmas displays, preferring a more secular take on the holiday, so they felt it falls on churches to carry on this tradition.
The St. Leonard’s display started with just half a dozen people bringing in their nativity sets from home. But soon, the idea caught on and more people began bringing in sets. “It snowballed,” recalled parishioner Bob Duce, whose own wood-crafted nativity is part of the exhibit that will go until Dec. 15.
Bob’s wife, Val Duce, recalled a 91-year-old church member also brought in a large wooden set that he created years ago. “He was very, very excited for it to be part of the display.”
Various sized nativity sets now stretch all the way down the main aisle between the pews, and spill into the area behind the pulpit, where the church’s own set — hand-painted by a former parishioner — takes pride of place.
Many crèches were acquired by people during trips across the globe — including to the Philippines, Austria, Peru, Mexico, Indonesia, Bangladesh and Kenya — and are made of native materials, including wood, straw, bamboo, and ceramics.
Some scenes depicting the birth of Christ contain just the central Baby Jesus, Mary and Joseph figures. Others encompass the Three Wise Men, assorted shepherds, angels, camels and an assorted menagerie of barnyard animals.
Franz’s favourite is a tiny set made of reeds that includes just the three central figures in a manger that resembles a teepee.
Val Duce likes her own small, wooden, star-shaped nativity display, brought back by a friend who actually purchased it in Bethlehem.
The women believe these simple sets are in keeping with the humble origins of Christ’s birth, as described in the Bible.
The nativity display can be viewed at St. Leonard’s in the Hill Anglican Church (4241-44 St.) from noon to 5 p.m. until Friday Dec. 15. Church members are considering making this an annual display.
