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FOR ALL WHO LOVE, OWN OR COLLECT CRECHES
Vol. 2, No 1
CHRISTMAS PAST AND A NEW LOOK
Spring 19 98
Outdoor Christmas lights always seem most noticeable to me when they have been turned off. However, with the coming of the Spring light and renewal of another year , we put that darkness behind. Now, we look forward to the continuing pleasure and fellowship offered in the spirit of the Holy Creche.
Our splendid new masthead is courtesy of Michael J. Stumpf who heads a well known marketing and graphic design firm in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. Stumpf also handcrafts magnificent creches which you will read about inside.
Included in this issue are photos of creches from the wonderful exhibits we personally visited this past Christmas season, as well as those of some of the beautiful displays that our readers generously shared with us.
Rita B Bacher, Publisher
FLORENTINE SCULPTURE SELECTED FOR 1998 CHRISTMAS POSTAL STAMP
A magnificent relief in terra cotta by an unknown Florentine artist has been selected as the nation ' s religious Christmas stamp for 1998 . The relief, now hanging in the National Gallery in Washington, was created circa 1425. Scholars feel that the work is by an exceptionally accomplished yet unknown master who was influenced by 14th - 15th century Italian sculptors , Donatello , Ghiberti and Quercia . Selection of the stamp wa s based upon the recommendation of the Citizens ' Stamp Advisory Committee , which is composed of representative s of the three major faiths.
Postage stamps appeared in March 184 7 under President James Polk , making the United States the second nation, after Brazil, to issue stamps. Prior fo that, one stood in line at post offices to prepay letters Not all liked the stamps , however, and between 184 7 and 1851, less than 1.5% of all mail carried the new postage. Christmas stamps first started appearing in 1962, although requests for them had been made earlier. Four years later, with the issuance of a five-cent stamp featuring the Madonna and Child by Hans Memling, the traditional "religious" stamps appeared, along with other holiday designs. In 1967, the United States District Court, in response to a suit questioning the issuance as contrary to the Constitution's First Amendment on the separation of church and state, ruled that such a stamp could "not be deemed in any sense even remotely connected with an establishment of religion, or with any limitation of the free exercise thereof."
Florentine, l5rh c. National Gallery
Since the issuance of the first Christmas stamps, about I 00 different designs have been selected. The Nativity itself has appeared three times: Lorenzo Lotto's Nativity in 1970; Giorgione's Adoration of the Shepherds in 1971, and John Singleton Copley's Nativity in 1976
Spring 1998
creche herald page 2
THE STAR OF LONG AGO BETIIl,EHEM EXQUISITE CRECHES CREATED BY STUMPF by
Mary B. Herzel
"We may never know the actual date or season of Jesus' birth, but some Biblical historians have placed the Nativity in the Spring between the years 4 B.C. to 8 B.C., before the established date of 'O' A.D.," explained Jeffrey L. Smith, Planetarium educator at the State Museum of Pennsylvania in Harrisburg. "The shepherds mentioned by Luke seem to point to a Spring birth; shepherds tended to be in the fields then to protect the new born lambs."
That brings us to the star. What event in the heavens would have been unusual to the Magi, been seen between 4 B.C. and 8 B.C., and possibly occurred in the Spring?
"To some of the ancients," Smith said, "the movements of the celestial bodies was a great mystery. When an important event was to take place, the position of the heavenly bodies was noted and interpreted."
* * *
Through the ages, many hypotheses have arisen about the star. Some astronomical theories suggested are that the "star" might have been a comet, a meteor shower, a fireball, a supernova, or an odd alignment of the planets.
Smith thinks the best suggestion is that the skies displayed an unusual grouping of planets in a constellation that was significant to the Magi. Modem astronomers have calculated that in 7 B.C. or 8 B.C., the planets, Jupiter, Saturn and Mars were near each other in the constellation, Pisces, the ruling sign of the ancient Hebrews. Jupiter ruled luck; Saturn ruled destiny, and Mars ruled king. Astrologers, such as the Magi, could have interpreted that phenomenon as a king would be born to the Jewish nation that would affect their destiny.
* * *
"That particular positioning of planets, which coincidentally occurs every 805 years, might have been the Star of Bethlehem, or," Smith added, "the Star could have been a miracle with no rational explanation."
The Star of Bethlehem remains a wonderful mystery associated with Christmas. Perhaps the significance of the Star is that all our seasons be times of light and hope, of peace and goodwill.
Mary B. Herzel is a writer in Harrisburg, PA
"GETTING BACK TO BETHLEHEM"
In a campaign called "Getting Back to Bethlehem," the creche in Mary of the Rosary parish in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, was created this past year from parishioners' good deeds. Individuals marked an "X" on a piece of paper for each good deed done or bad deed avoided. Dropped in a large box by a painted creche, the papers were then used to make decorations for the Nativity.
Filled with breathtaking detail and drama, the creches handcrafted by Michael Stumpf of Doylestown, Pennsylvania, offer a glimpse of a magical world of the spirit and of a special Nativity.
Stumpf designs and constructs wonderfully complex dwellings in which Mary and Joseph present their Holy Child to the world. The works are carefully fashioned so that no two are alike, and each one is numbered and signed. Creches can be customized to reflect the purchaser's taste and interests; some come as modules to be added to from time to time.
Using a variety of natural materials, such as terra cotta, ceramic tiles, and wood, Stumpfs buildings are multi leveled, with stuccoed walls, overhanging eaves, wood shingled roofs, balconies, and graceful arches. Elegant, silk leafed palm trees frequently shelter the scene. Minuscule plants "grow" around, and moss covers the tiles or "grows" in the sculpted ground. Tiny clay water jugs and brass pots stand ready to be filled. Special handcrafted figurines, often made in Italy, inhabit the miniature world.
Until recently, handcrafting creches was a sideline for Stumpf who has enjoyed successful careers as Navy photographer, artist, designer, banker and owner of his own marketing and graphic design firm, Michael Stumpf & Associates. Increasingly, however, this craftsman finds himself responding to a growing demand for creches.
On a personal note, Stumpf feels his architectural tendencies come naturally. From his father's German stock, he claims a grandfather who was an architect and a great-uncle who was a woodworker of elaborate Victorian edifices. From his mother, he inherited the Italian sense of drama.
S tumpf s creches are made under the name, Navidad, the Heirloom Handcrafted Nativity. Contact Navidad Nativities, 215-345-7040, Fax: 7042.
IIEditor/publisher: Rita B. Bocher
Contributing editor: Mary B. Herzel Office: 117 Crosshill Road
Web page: E-mail address: Wynnewood, PA 19096-3 511
U.S.A.
www.op.net/-bocassoc/ crecher@oo.net
BY ARTISANS WITH A 300 YEAR OLD TRADITION OF WOOD CARVING
Direct from the heart of Russia's forest district.
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FROM OUR READERS:
In the closing credits of the movie, Home Alone, you will find my name as one of the film's set designers. Along with various rooms and the Santa Claus house, I also designed the Nativity scene in which Mac hides from the thieves. The production designer for the film had been to my home during Christmas, and asked me to design a stable just like the one I had made for my own creche. My Nativity cabinet hangs on a living room wall and is opened at a lovely ceremony before Cluistmas.
William B. Fosser, Chicago, IL
My collecting started when I presented a program on Neapolitan creches for an antiques collector club to which I belong I fell in love with the figures and started a collection of modern day santons. I try to link a Bible verse with each one. I have between 40-50 in a setting which looks like a Roman ruin. Such fun, and something to look forward to displaying each year.
Mary Ann Chastain, Tampa, FL
I celebrate Christmas the 25th of every month. I display one of my Infants surrounded with flowers and candles. During the day I say prayers honoring the Infant Jesus.
Jim Lynch, Philadelphia, PA
CRECHE EXCHANGE:
FOR SALE: Cross stitch pattern of Italian Christmas Ceppo. $5.00 + $1.00 postage 412-793-1927
FOR SALE: Hand carved, European creche Madonna from 18th or 19th century. Good condition Photos available. 212-691-6602
CLASSIFIED AD RA TES:
50 cents per word: $7 00 minimum
80 cents per word: 10 POINT BOLD CAPS
$4.00 extra for double bold lines above and below ad
COLLECTING CRECHES YEAR ROUND
by T. "Sam" Parrish
For most, Christmas is over for the year, but creche collectors never seem to put Christmas away completely. For my part, this is when I design creche displays for stores and plan lectures on keeping Christ's Christmas.
I have had many supporters over the past five years; one of the staunchest was my friend, Roy. Sadly for me, he died recently. Roy was a collector and vendor at my local flea market. Retired , he made ends meet selling collectibles along with wooden cigar boxes. Roy gathered bag loads of those boxes for me and my Fall creche making workshops. He knew I taught such classes in hopes that people would be inspired to make a place in their Christmases for Christ. So, all year long, he collected the boxes and sold them to me without a cent of profit. (I pray that Roy has been given a special place in Heaven ' s manger--living an eternal Christmas.)
We collectors hunt for mangers (not cigar boxes) year round, although usually most intensively before Christmas. Stores then are well stocked, but prices are high. Then we return for the sales afterwards to buy those creches we couldn ' t afford otherwise.
****
Now, at last, there are catalogs that carry wonderful creches seldom seen in stores. Sometimes, those catalogs have after-Christmas sales, so , getting on their mailing lists is a great idea.
Also , consider creche buying when you plan your vacation , even when traveling during the spring and summer. There are many Nativity crafts persons who work all year making figures. (A call in advance may allow you to tour workshops or give you a chance to buy pieces in the off-season.)
If you are traveling dUiing the month of December, try to include some of the grand Christmas markets that abound here in the States and in Europe. Many are filled with wonderful handcrafted Nativities.
As you build your collections, I hope, that in spirit, you, like my friend Roy, will always find room in your hearts and homes for the Christ Child and his message.
****
Below is a varied list of Nativity sources to consider. Catalogs listed are free unless otherwise noted.
*Bronners CHRISTmas Wonderland. 25 Christmas Lane, Frankenmuth, MI. 48734. Year round Christmas store, open 7 days/week. Catalog. Over 500 creches from 90 countries. 517-652-9931. Internet: http://www.bronners.com
* Falls Village Gift Shop. German style paper creche sets. 1-860-824-1440.
*Diaspora Now, Inc. Caribbean Wire Sculptures . 80 St. Nicholas Place. Suite IB, NY, NY 10032 1-800-988-8310; 1-212-491-4652
* Heritage International Catalog. 11 I 9 Nina Ave. , Wausau, WI 54403. Hand carved Russian Nativity/figurines. 1-888- 799-0440. E-mail: HerintLTD@aol.com Catalog: $2.00.
* M.I. Hummel Catalog. Nativities/ World renowned figurines. 1-800-666-2582.
* Navidad Nativities. Handcrafted creches. 33 W. Court St., SuiteB. Doylestown,PA 18901. 215-345-7040
* Santons de France--Figures by Marcel Carbone!. Betsy Bisson. 1-207-443-2345.
E-mail: santon@gwi.net
*SERRV International Catalog. SERRVprovides craftspeople in developing countries a fair price for the goods they produce. 1-800-423-0071.
Internet: http://www.serrv.org
*Smithsonian Catalog. Nativities/collectibles 1-800-322-0344
*The Franklin Mint Catalog. Nativities/collectibles 1-800-THE MINT.
T. "Sam " Parrish , designer/ artist, lives in New York City. She has designed windows for Saks Fifth Avenue, teaches creche workshops and makes sure "Christ" stays in Christmas.
????? And Comment
A.Q.What is "cradle rocking?"
Cradle rocking, or Kindelwiegen, grew up in Germany in the 14th century. The crib became a cradle, and worshipers could express their devotion in a physical manner.
Initially, priests, taking the roles of Mary and Joseph, rocked the cradle during the worship service. Later, the worshipers were permitted to rock the Holy Infant. The rocking Wl!S accompanied by festive singing and dancing. By the 15th century, cradle rocking was practiced by all the churches in Germany. However, the custom died out in the 16th century when stricter clergy perceived the practice as irreverent; instead, the Infant was enthroned on the altar.
A delightful old carol still sung in Rhineland churches is "Let us rock the Child and bow our hearts before the crib! Let us delight our spirits and bless the Child: sweet little Jesu! sweet little Jesu."
