Big Christmas Crib Display at St. Bartholomew
As of this writing (on December 8th), there is a group of people working quickly to finish an expansive Christmas Crib display in the back corner of St. Bartholomew Church. I am one of those people. We hope our efforts will be an inspiration to all of us in our family of parishes, especially to any children or grandchildren who may come to see it. It is a creative endeavor that attempts to bring the viewer to that night in Bethlehem when our Lord Jesus Christ was born. It is based on the nativity stories in the Gospels of Luke and Matthew (and a touch of the prologue of John’s Gospel). I had put together a similar display with a few parishioners when I was at St. Joseph in North Bend, because I thought it would help people to meditate on the mystery of Jesus, the Eternal Word of God, being born as a man.
FACTS:
What? A crib display featuring the figurines and wooden creche normally displayed at St. Bart’s, but placed in the context of a large (30 feet long) landscape.
Where? In the back corner of St. Bartholomew Church. The crib was normally up in the sanctuary (which is not considered liturgically correct). We have moved it into the back, because it is not a liturgical display, but a devotional display. I chose to do this at St. Bart’s church for two main reasons: 1) There is plenty of room and a high ceiling in that church. 2) There is a school with over 400 children right across the parking lot. I have hopes of bringing up St. Vivian school students up on buses to see it. In future years, if we decide to change the venue, the display could be modified and installed in any of the parish centers.
Why? I believe that the secularization of our society (and of Christmas) calls for a special display that tells the Christmas story.
When? We hope to have it completely installed and functioning (with the Baby Jesus in the manger!) Saturday, December 17. Since this is an evangelical effort and not a liturgical display, we will always put it up during Advent (for some of the people I am trying to reach, Christmas is over and done with by midnight Christmas Eve!) People are welcome to come and see it before and after regular scheduled Sunday and weekday Masses up through the Feast of the Epiphany (January 7th). We will have the church unlocked at least 30 minutes before any Mass, and leave it unlocked at least 30 minutes after Mass. I also plan to have some special evening viewing hours the week before Christmas. Watch the parish and family websites for times.
Who paid for this? Those of us who are working on it have donated all materials.
FEATURES:
A 30-foot by 12-foot night sky over Bethlehem, made of royal blue felt and star sequins (even some constellations!).
A “window into heaven”, where the sky is opened up to see the angels, singing and worshipping God most High.
A scene with the Three Magi stopping by a fire in the mountains of Iraq, as they are on the way to Bethlehem.
A 19-minute “Story of Christmas” recording, which gives my own brief version of salvation history with background music, followed by excerpts from the Gospel narratives, with some Christmas carols.