The Live Nativity [Part 1] {Christmas Tradition}

It's Day 11 of WeNdYs WiNtEr WoNdErLaNd!

A tradition I enjoy each year at Christmas is that of going to attend the "Live Nativity".  A dramatic recreation of the events that took place during the birth of our Savior and the reason for the season.  I have fond memories of bundling my children up every year, going early to get a seat and then watching what might have happened that night.  I remember the year we were able to see this live event in New York City on a grand scale during The Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall after the Rockettes,  and what a treat that was.  I have missed this for the past couple of years because {in LasVegas} they had to put a hold on it, due to the fact that the crowds were to large and the church parking lot too small. 

Thanks to the generous donations of a prominent family and the use of the new campus at Opportunity Village {a learning campus and work training facility for mentally disabled adults} and the great volunteers and acting talents of the church, the Live Nativity is back.  You can imagine how delighted I was to hear that this event was to return once again!  Yay!  So last night Mr. C kindly volunteers to take me to see it!  Double Yay!  So we bundle up and head on over {early of course} to find a seat for the show.  It is a free event so the seats are first come first serve. 

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT CRECHE DISPLAYS -
Nativity sets are common to see in homes around the world, but the first one was a live display using real people and animals.  In 1223 St. Frances of Assisi had longed to see the nativity with his own eyes.  He planned a show for the town, thus starting a new Christmas Tradition for all of the world to pass down from one generation to the next.  Germany, in the 1600's, continued the tradition and used churches for it now.  For the USA this tradition really started in 1741 in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.  Originally the nativity sets themselves were called creche, which means crib in French.

I was delighted to find out that they were also having a Creche display in the auditorium, along with the show!  This is another tradition that I love and take my children to each year.   

                                            Silent Night            Holy Night
This grand display of nativity sets were just beautiful and the room was decorated to match the spirit of the night {thanks to the women who decorated and volunteered and the many women who let them borrow such great nativities from all over the world)! 

                                            All is Calm          All is Bright
Simple strands of light were used and hung from the ceiling along side large banners, intermingled with palm trees and candles.  Simple elegance!

                                                     Joy                   Peace
The large auditorium is separated by velvet ropes to guide you along each path.

As you walk you find table after table of nativity sets from all over the world, with no two alike!

 
With clever twig arrangements mixed in between!  Natural seed pods and rocks and palm leaves and dried moss were used, along with jars {that housed the little battery operated votive candles} that were attached to the twig trees, by simple wire hangers.

 What an elegant and simple way to display these nativities in a tasteful way.

Some were hand carved and came from places like Mongolia!

  Mexico and carved from fish bone!

 Ghana

 Navajo

 Tonga

  Bolivia

  This one was carved into a tiny boat!

Or this one from Guatemala carved from clay!

 
  Italy

 Nigeria

Jerusalem

I loved this smooth finish on this black one! 

 
Pewter

Germany 

Scandinavia

Spain

Fabulous display isn't it?!  I want to share a few pictures from the live nativity show itself {but I got so carried away with letting you see so many of the creche's that I photographed} so it will have to wait until tomorrow!  Stay tuned for that and the end of my fieldtrip!