From a distance it looks like a standard nativity scene until you lean in a little closer.
Lounging just outside the stable is something you don’t expect to see in the traditional Christian display: a collie. The card beside the scene explains why it’s there:
“This nativity set belonged to Ed’s mom. It was featured in the living room on top of the television set. One year the boys found an angelic pomeranian Christmas ornament and added it to the nativity set much to Nana’s dismay. Each time they passed it they would move the little dog to a new place in the scene. This caused Nana no end of concern, especially when a sheltie fridge magnet also joined the animals there to honour baby Jesus.”
It is a charming description of a simple set that sits among more than 200 scenes on display at Highlands United Church in Edgemont this past weekend as part of its annual nativity exhibit and craft fair.
“Some are handmade, some are very precious and have been passed down in the family, some of them are really quirky and unusual, we had a S’mores nativity scene last year,” notes Sandi Parker, co-ordinating minister at the church.
While some are “lovely and ornate,” says Parker, there are also rubber ducks and Lego versions among the offerings, and often kids who view the exhibit one year return the next with their own handmade piece to add to the collection.
The nativity scene, also known as the manger scene or crèche, is a depiction of the birth of Jesus in Christian religions. The Christian bible tells the story of how Jesus was born in a manger in a stable and the story also includes a bright star, angels, and three kings, also known as wise men or Magi. Many Christians display a version of the nativity scene throughout the Christmas holidays. Nativity scenes can be simple, ornate, or abstract, and become cherished pieces of art and family tradition.
“Whether people take the story literally, figuratively, or metaphorically, however they interpret the story, I think there’s something kind of mystical, appealing about the story of a birth. The images of stars and angels kind of speak to our need for a little bit of mystery and light,” says Parker. “I think the story of love and birth is kind of a universal theme, and I think the themes of Advent, which tend to be in most churches peace and hope and love, are really powerful themes. And so I think the (nativity) story picks that up.”
The annual nativity scene exhibit is open to anyone and the weekend includes other activities, such as a craft fair and kids activities, as well as free mulled cider and cookies for visitors.
Donations are accepted for the church’s various outreach programs, including a sponsored Syrian refugee family this year, but there is no cost to attend.
“For us it’s just a way to invite the community into the real spirit of hope and love and generosity and community, and we just hope people will come and enjoy spending time with one another and enjoy the scenes that are there,” says Parker.
The exhibit started at the church in 2009 and the first year they had about 100 nativity scenes donated for the event. Last year they had 225. Scenes are loaned to the church for the weekend from families in the congregation, and each scene is accompanied by a card with information about the scene’s history.
Some are from different parts of the world, picked up by families during their travels and those scenes often have figures that look different than the traditional North American scenes. Different cultures also represent the story in different ways, says Parker.
“It speaks to people’s imagination too and lets people know that sometimes the images that we associate with Christmas and the nativity can actually be interpreted in many different ways,” she notes.
