FOR ALL WHO LOVE , OWN OR COLLECT CRECHES
Vol. 3, No. 1 The Newsletter of the Christmas Nativity Spring 1999
The Millennium ls Creche Time
Think of it. The approaching Millennium is really OUR celebration-the holiday of those of us who love, own or collect the Christmas Nativity . Two thousand years since the Holy Night in Bethlehem
Others may argue as to whether the Millennium begins with the year 2000 or 2001. My personal feeling is that the longer the celebration, the longer we have to enjoy and meditate upon that first Christmas.
Before leaving for a whirlwind trip through southern Italy in December (where, by the way, it was unusually cold) we drew the names for the Nativity gifts shown in our Fall issue This drawing was among those who had purchased one or more gift subscriptions Winner of the graceful ten-piece blue and white porcelain Nativity set from the Cathedral in Beijing, China, was Holly Zenger of Midway, Utah. Those winning the small charming Magi displays from China were Martha Rogers, White Bear Lake, Minnesota; Mary Chastain, Tampa, Florida; Gay Graeber, Oxford, Mississippi, and Dr. Eileen Canty, Marion, Massachusetts. ***
Need your best thoughts!!! Several readers have suggested starting a Creche Society on this side of the Atlantic. In many European countries, these organized groups operate under the auspices of the Universalis Foederatio Praesepistica (International Association of Friends of the Creche) with headquarters in Rome, Italy. The local groups hold meetings and creche related events in their own regions on an annual basis, and then all get together every four years
Tell me what you think of the idea. Would you participate? Would you consider starting and heading a local chapter? How do you think it should work? Write to Creche Herald, 117 Crosshill Road, Wynnewood, PA 19096-3 511, USA, or e-mail me at: crecher(cil,op.nel.
The Millennium in Spain . The International Creche Convention will be in Pamplona, Spain, October 11-15, 2000 If you are interested in possible group travel, please write or e-mail as above. Or we can just plan to meet an evening in Pamplona.
Rita Bacher, Publisher
ZENGERCRECHES ILLUSTRATENEWBOOK
Imagine the thrill of seeing a few of your favorite Nativity sets in stunning full-color serve as illustrations for a beautiful book on the Nativity . That experience happened to Holly Zenger, Midway , Utah, whose creches appear in a hardcover gift-worthy edition . The book is Th e Christmas Creche by Elaine Cannon (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1998), a slim cross-generational volume of inspirational writings suitable for young children as well as adults . Photographs of Zenger's creches accompany short, thoughtful reflections on the spiritual as well as material features of the Nativity. A variety of Nativities is shown, ranging from a carved olive wood set from the Holy Land to a soapstone Eskimo work from Alaska.
The Christmas Creche is available for $17 50, including postage, a 20% discount off the regular retail price for Creche Herald readers . Contact Holly Zenger at P.O. Box 1268, 275 Luzern Road, Midway, UT 84049-1268 or email: HOLLYZEN@aol.com ,.
Sterling silver accents this Italian bisque porcelain creche The Baby wears a Victorian style nightcap Photograph from The Christmas Creche (c) 1998 Bookcraft, Salt Lake C ity, Utah Creche from the private collection of Holly Zenger. U s ed by permiss ion
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??? AND COMMENTS
Q. What is the background of the opera we often hear at Christmas called Amahl and the Night Visitors?
A. Written especially for television, A mah/ and the Night Visitors first was presented on December 24, 1951.The libretto and music are by Gian-Carlo Menotti.
Amahl is a small crippled boy who lives with his mother, a poor shepherdess. One day, Amahl tells his mother three Kings have come, but, at first, she cannot believe such a fantastic tale. However, the Kings indeed have come, and they are invited to rest.
When the visitors tell of the gifts they are taking to the newborn King who will reign with peace and love, Amahl longs to add his own gift. He has only the tiny crutch he has carved himself. Without thinking, he places the crutch with the magnificent presents of the Kings. Miraculously, he can walk.
THE PLEASURES OF A PAPER CRECHE
byMaryB. Herzel
If you love working with paper, then origami ~s for you. Origami is the making of representat10nal objects of paper, by folding it, usually without cutting, pasting, or decorating The word "origami" is a Japanese compound word: "ori" means to fold and "kami" means paper. Although the ancient Chinese invented paper and learned how to fold it, origami has been part of Japan's culture for thousands of years.
One of the skilled practitioners of origami is Kimi Igarashi. She currently teaches weekly origami classes to the residents of Cathedral Village, a retirement community where she and her husband live.
lgarashi had practiced the art of folding paper as a child but she became a real enthusiast about nine years'ago when she and her husband visited Japan, the country of their ancestors.
MORE ON MALTESE SCULPTURES
At the end Amahl sets out with the Royal Visitors to offer his th~nks at the manger of the Child. * * * * *
Joe Camilleri has informed us that because of high postage rates, the Maltese Creche Society has had to set a new price on The Story ofCribs & Pasturi in the Maltese Islands, the book that shows the beautiful sculptures created by their artists. New cost of the book, including postage, is US $25. For more about any of the sculptures shown, including Joe's, contact him at e-mail: camill@waldonet.net.mt. His address is 100, Arch Bishop P. Pace Street, Victoria, Gozo. VCT 106 Malta.
In Japan, one of their stops was Hiroshima. There, they visited the Peace Park where stands a famous statue of a young girl, Sadako Sasaki; Sadako holds a crane, the symbol of fortune and longevity. T~e youngster had died from leukemia caused by atomic bomb radiation. During her illness, she started to fold cranes; legend had it that if a person folded one thousand cranes, the gods would grant her wish and restore her to health. Six hundred forty-four was the last one she made, but her classmates folded the balance, and she was buried with one thousand paper cranes.
Igarashi suggests that before one attempts to make a crane or a creche, one should start with an easy origami book to learn the basic folds and creases. Fortunately, she said, origami artists have created an easily understood language and instructions.
Since paper is the only material needed for origami, choosing the paper is particularly important. Any paper will do that can withstand repeated folding without stretching, such as giftwrap, stationery, magazine pages. Igarashi orders her paper from origami catalogs.
For the creche shown, she used blue paper for Mary, dark purple for Joseph, white for the Infant, brown for the manger and multi-colored papers for the Magi. The star is iridescent white.
A starter book is: Easy Origami by John Montroll, 1992. Order at 31 E. 2nd Street, Mineola, New York, 11501. To order paper: Origami USA c!o Phyllis Meth, 40-05 166th Street, Flushing, NY 11358.
For further information: Origami USA, 15 W. 77 th Street, New York, NY 10024-5192 or Kimi Igarashi, 600 East Cathedral Road, D202, Philadelphia, PA 19128. Tel: 215-984-8817.
Happy creche folding! Tanoshii Origami! Mary Herzel is a writer who lives in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
Origami creche by Kimi Jgarashi, Philadelphi, Pennsylvania, is a work of the heart and the imagination. Photo by Frank B. Herzel.
In this enchanting Lladr6 creation, singing angels treat Baby Jesus to an impromptu concert.
THE MAGIC OF LLADRO NATIVITIES
Three brothers, each contributing his own artistic genius, are behind the Lladr6 porcelains of Spain.
Juan, the eldest, started working at fifteen as a decorator's apprentice in the small chinaware section of the Valencian Tileworks . Soon, his brother, Jose, joined him. The youngest, Vincente, veered toward sculpture. "We began working when we were practically children," recalled Juan in the Lladr6 Company memoirs.
Every afternoon, after work, the Lladr6 boys attended the School of Arts and Crafts (Escue/a de Artes y Oficios de San Carlos); they also helped their father cultivate the family market garden. Their mother, Rosa Dolz Pastor, acted as cheerleader, always urging them to better themselves. "Paint and sing,"was her admonition.
At about this time, the brothers, with their father's help, built a small firewood kiln in their backyard. That small kiln was the birth of Lladr6 porcelains. Hour after hour, day after day, after working at the Tileworks, at school and in the fields, the boys practiced with their kiln. They made copies of contemporary and classical figures, flowers, graceful animals . Juan remembered those days as ones of continuous work and study.
After their apprenticeship at the Tileworks, the brothers hired on as accomplished professionals in the
Victor de Naida workshops, while continuing their studies. By a twist of fate, in 1953, a labor dispute arose, and the three Lladr6 men decided to go off on their own. In the beginning, they made only earthenware pieces. They found their flowers sold well, and frequently were used to decorate lamps. The trio also experimented with porcelain. Some pieces took days to complete; Vincente sculpted; Juan and Jose painstakingly painted the delicate objects. But hard to believe, the young men could find no market for their wares.
At their darkest moments, the Lladr6s wanted to give up, but their mother wouldn't let them. They continued to experiment, finally building a true kiln, and in time, were able to vitrify porcelain.
Because porcelain is its own mistress, they had to learn to master its artistic as well as its complex technical processes. Vincente continued to model, Juan and Jose drew the designs and decorated, and Juan and Vincente struggled with the kiln and the chemistry. All the time, they worked the fields to try to eke out a living.
Finally, in 1958, with confidence in their skill and knowledge of their market, the Lladr6 men laid the foundation for their first factory. They examined and researched everything, continuously transforming their work and evolving their own special expression of beauty and harmony.
Today, Lladr6 Nativities, with their graceful lines and fluid forms, evoke a timeless spirituality. In the company memoirs, Vincente explained the essence of all Lladr6 works, " Each figure is a hymn to beauty, to goodness, in a word, to love "
(Next issue: Making Lladr6 porcelains)
The famous Lladr6 trademark ofelegant lines is particularly evident in the graceful figure ofMary in this serene Nativity.
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SICILY: THE NATMTY ISLAND
Sicily, the large island that looks like a football at the base ofltaly's boot, is a place to which we return frequently. Usually, we're there to visit beloved cousins in late summer. That is a wonderful time to enjoy the bounty of the harvest, succulent fruits, crisp vegetables, wonderful bread like no other on earth, and • always, the fruits of the sea but hours from the water.
This past year instead, we visited in early December hoping to experience the beginnings of the Christmas season, combining a trip to Sicily with brief jaunts to Naples and Rome . We arrived about December 3, and learned that Christmas in Italy usually doesn ' t get rolling until about December 15, at which time we would have returned home . Would the trip be a total waste? Not to worry. True, not all the displays were up , but Sicily is so Nativity oriented, that there was plenty to enjoy . In Naples , Via San Gregorio Armeno was in full swing, but in Rome , just a few exhibits had opened the week we got there
We used Catania as a base in Sicily, looking in on a wonderful artisan ' s shop while there . The other towns and cities we visited were all within an hour ' s drive. First, we motored to Acireale, a lovely seaside city close by, where we saw an 18th century Nativity display in a grotto . The grotto, created from lava stone, stands near a park in the middle of town Figures here were full human size, of exquisitely molded wax, and elaborately clothed (even with underwear) . Currently, the Nativity can be viewed all year. One of the gracious volunteer hosts was Sig Giuseppe Bella who was happy to give informative details about the scene.
In Nicolosi , a charming resort town on the benign slopes of volatile Mt. Etna, the presepio at the church of San Giuseppe included hundreds of figures, all lovingly assembled by Giuseppe Tomarchio. Sig. Tomarchio, with understandable pride, explained the myriad village scenes within the mountain setting Later in the season, he would be involved in the construction of the presepio in the town square of Nicolosi . Cold winds howled when we visited, so we stopped for a steaming cappuccino and a delectable creamy cannolo, the famous pastry of Sicily. A heavenly pause!
On another day, we took a jaunt to Taormina, the stunning mountain top resort (you descend to the beach by funicular), a half hour from Catania. In addition to Nativities in the churches, its pricey boutiques displayed delightful creches. Our memories of Taormina are always warm, and once we attended a performance of Medea at the Roman theater there, framed by Mt. Etna in the background.
Tosee craftsmen making exquisitely modeled figures, we visited Caltagirone, a mountain top city about an hour away from Catania. Caltagirone was a charming place to visit on its own, all creamy stucco baroque buildings, steps everywhere and shops galore We saw three displays, one had white cotton figures, one had mechanical figures doing things like taking bread out of an oven or bowing, and the last, in the Capuchin Monastery, was a 12-scene life of Jesus. But the treat her:, was to go in and out of the artisan's shops to watch them at work and to make decisions as to what to buy . These Sicilian figures were not to be believed, and the prices were modest, considering all of them were original works of art. Handcrafted 3" figures with amazing detail ran as low as US $12!
Our trip to Naples was especially to visit Via San Gregorio Armeno, the "crib street" (See Dennis Des Rosiers article in Fall 1998 issue). It was everything it was supposed to be. Dozens and dozens of shops and artisans , and of course , thousands and thousands of tourists , schoolchildren, and shoppers Figures varied in quality by shop, but the tiny presepio accessories were unequaled : grapes, each individually molded, loaves of bread, strings of garlic, etc .
for Rome , we'd advise going after December 15, although we did see a fascinating international exhibit of about 100 creches. Materials used to make the creches varied from automobile parts to exquisitely detailed sculpted terracotta.
Wbile we depended upon our gracious cousins to motor us through Sicily, for other parts of Italy we traveled by train Before leaving home, we had purchased a four-day flexible 2nd class train pass for Italy at a cost of $13 9 Trains were excellent and 2nd class was very satisfactory . Airfare and lodging rates were at off peak levels . Plane fare was about $300 round trip from Philadelphia to Rome (compared to about $800 for other seasons). In Naples, our room in a first class hotel, including full breakfast, was about $125; in Rome, our downtown mid-class hotel ran about $85 with continental breakfast.
By the way, it was not possible to get a bad meal in Italy. Prices were about the same as U.S.
Creche Herald
Editor/publisher: Rita B. Bocher
Contributing editor: Mary B. Herzel
Office : 117 Crosshill Road, Wynnewood, PA 19096-3511 U.S.A Web page: www.op.net/- bocassoc/ E-mail: crecher@op.net
Page 5
ARTISANS IN ITALY
Below are the names and addresses of some artisans. All work in terracotta; some figures have fabric clothing. For telephone numbers, write or e-mail Creche Herald.
Catania:
Bottega D' Arte di Alderisi Giovanni, Via Etnea 373, 95100 Catania, Italia
Caltagirone:
The city address is: 95041 Caltagirone, (Cl) Italia Filippo Romano, Via Vitt. Emanuele, 151 Gaetano Romano, Via L. Sturzo, 87 Salvatore Raimondo, Via Vitt. Emanuele, 101 Vincenzo Forgia, Via G. Arcoleo, 58 Santina Grimadi, Via Roma, 77 F.lli Scarlatella, Via Roma, 112 Riccard Varsallona D.sa Collegio, 1 Vincenzo Velardita, Via Roma, 45 Paolo Biondo, Via P.ssa Maria Felice Bruna Fiorentino, Via Salbona, 4 Maurizio Iatrino, Via Monte Carmelo, 2 F.lli Branciforti, Scala Maria SS de! Monte Messina/Morretta, Via Roma, 130
Naples: (Obviously a partial list!)
All have a city address of80138 Napoli, Italia Giuseppe e Marco Ferrigno, Via S. Gregorio Armeno, 8 (Does celebrity figures) Ugo Esposito, Via S. Gregorio Armeno, 46 E-mail: ugoesposito@export.it Fulvio Forte, Via S. Gregorio Armeno, 26 F.lli Capuano, Via S. Gregorio Armeno, 28, www.campnet.it/presepe/artigiani/capuano
Modeled in wax, an old shepherd gazes at the wondrous events in the 18th century presepio at Acireale, Sicily.
A wealthy signore comes on horseback to give a gift to the Christ Child. Work ofBottega D' Arte di Alderisi Giovanni, Catania, Sicily.
While his chickens look on, a Sicilian farmer fills his wine jugs with homemade wine. Presepio at Nicolosi, Sicily.
The brightly colored costumes of these Nativity figures form an interesting contrast to the solemn expressions on their faces. Collection of
Heartfelt devotion for the Infant shines forth in this graceful Nativity in the collection of David Monroe, Vancouver, British Columbia.
This expressive shepherd with his crook is colorfully clothed, and is one of the many figures sculpted by Joe Camilleri, Gozo, Malta, for his crib.
An angel with star hovers over this charming Nativity that Charles Hull, Codorus, Pennsylvania, crafted himself. In subdued colors, it is counted cross-stitch on punched paper
Louise Polsky, Rancho Palos Verdes, California.
The Designer Edition Heirloom Nativity
Create your own family tradition with this truly unique showcase heirloom Nativity Pennsylvania artist Michael Joseph Stumpf captures an awe-inspiring vision in precise period detail, reflecting the Roman architectural influences in Bethlehem at the time of the birth of Christ. Beautifully finished on all four sides, this impressive stable is a one-of-a-kind design, a finely-crafted resin reproduction of one of Michael's original handcrafted wooden nativities, coveted by collectors around the world. Each lighted nativity, designed especially for Fontanini and Roman, Inc, is presented with a brass plaque signed by the artist.
This unique creche is designed specifically for Fontanini's line of 5" figures.
Designer Edition Lighted Creche: 21" H x 19.5W x 15.75"D. Including the Fontanini Coin - your guarantee of authenticity $325.00, plus shipping of $34.00.
Designer Edition Lighted Creche: 21" H x 19.5W x 15 .75" D with twelve Fontanni 5)) figures including Jesus, Mary, Joseph, Three Wisemen, Shepherd, Sheep, Donkey and Ox . Includes the Fontanini Coin and Story Cards. $450.00, plus shipping of $34.50.
Order Before April 30 And Enjoy FREE Shipping
You've been searching all your lifefor that one, truly special nativity scene. The one that truly reflects the spirit and meaning of this blessed holiday. Now an original Navidad design by Michael Joseph Stumpf can be yours. The perfect gift for the millennium, for weddings and anniversaries and other special occasions, in addition to the Holiday Season.
ORDER NOW AND SHIPPING IS FREE
For a limited time only, order your Designer Edition Nativity and SAVE ALL SHIPPING AND HANDLING COST. Michael believes that everyone should share in the celebration of the first nativity. So as a special preview, and until April 30th, Navidad will absorb all shipping, handling and insurance costs on your nativity. On otders received after April 30, shipping, handling and insurance costs are $34.50 for the continental United States. Foreign orders, Alaska and Hawaii will be quoted separately. Please call.
®D'cct:l@D' [Jl@O'(][]j] (can be copied)
: D Designer Edition Creche : $325
D Designer Edition Creche with figures: $425
Ship to: Name: ______________
Address: _____________ (No P O. Boxes)
City: ______________ State:
Zip: ____ Daytime Telephone : ________
Evening Telephone : _____________
Please charge my: Mastercard
Card#: _________________
Expiration Date: ______________
Your Signature: ______________
Send or fax your completed order, with check or credit card information, to: Michael Joseph Stumpf • Navidad Heirloom Nativities 33 West Court Street • Doylestown, Bucks County, PA 18910
Please allow 3-4 weeks for delivery.
33 West Court Street Doylestown, PA 18901
215.345.7040
Fax 215.345.7042 email: 111sanavi@pil.net
Creche Herald NEWSMAKERS
If you are featured in a Nativity-related news item, send clipping to: Creche Herald, 117 Crosshill Road, Wynnewood, PA 19096-3511.
• Jay Bullock, Colombia, MD., and her extensive collection of creches were the subject of an article in the Dec 24-27, 1998, issue of USA TODAY. Also featured was Rita Bocher, publisher of Creche Herald.
• Michael Stumpf, Doylestown, PA., and his unique creches were the front page feature in The Intelligencer, the regional daily, on December 23, 1998. Sturnpf's design for Roman, Inc. made Page 1 of the December 1998 edition of GIFfWARE NEWS, an international magazine. E-mail: msanavi@pil.net
• Some newsmakers from previous years that we had not mentioned are: Diane Houk, Independence, MO, John Musser, Kenosha, WI, T. "Sam" Parrish, New York City, Rev. Johann Roten, Dayton, OH
> Sean Penn, Hong Kong, boasts an eclectic collection of many interpretations of the Holy Event. This is a partial view of his world of Nativities at Christmas.
A MANGER STORY
From Judie Bruno-who received it over the Internet
This is the story related by an American who answered an invitation to teach at an orphanage in Russia.The orphanage sheltered about 100 children who had been abandoned or abused.
It was nearing the holiday season, time for our orphans to hear, for the first time, the traditional story of Christmas . We told them about Mary and Joseph arriving in Bethlehem . Finding no room in the inn, the couple went to a stable, where the Baby Jesus was born and placed in a manger
Throughout the story, the children and orphanage staff sat in amazement as they listened. Completing the account, we gave the children three small pieces of cardboard to make a crude manger, some yellow paper to shred for straw, tan felt to cut out a Baby, and a small square of flannel for the Baby's blanket.
The orphans were busy assembling their manger as I walked among them to see if they needed any help All went well until I got to the table where six year old Misha sat. I looked at the little boy ' s manger and was startled to see not one, but two babies in the manger. Quickly, I called for the translator to ask the lad why there were two babies.
Crossing his arms in front of him and looking at his completed manger scene, the child began to repeat the events very seriously For such a young boy, who had only heard the Christmas story once, he related the happenings accurately-until he came to the part where Mary put the Baby Jesus in the manger.
Then Misha continued ;
"And when Maria laid the Baby in the manger, Jesus looked at me and asked me if I had a place to stay. I told him I have no mama and no papa, so I don ' t have any place to stay. Then Jesus told me I could stay with him . But I told him I couldn ' t, because I didn ' t have a gift to give him like everybody else did.
" But I wanted to stay with Jesus so much, so I thought about what I had that maybe I could use for a gift So I asked Jesus, 'Ifl keep you will that be a good enough gift?' And Jesus told me, 'That will be the best gift anybody ever gave me.' Then he told me I could stay with him for always ."
As little Misha :finished his story, tears splashed down his thin cheeks. Putting his hands over his face , his head dropped to the table; his shoulders shook as he sobbed.
The little orphan finally had found someone who would never abandon or abuse him, someone to stay with him always.
Judie
Bruno, artist, collector and swfer, lives in El Cajon , California
CHINESE NATIVITY TAPESTRIES RECREATE AN ANCIENT ART
A thousand years ago, the Tujia people of China offered their tapestries as tribute to the Emperor. Those gifts remain one of the finest examples of ancient native handicrafts. In Chinese, the name for these weavings is Xi Lan Ka Pu.
Today, China's Tujia women recreate the beauty of the royal treasures in the style and manner of their ancestors. They use the same simple wooden looms to weave cotton, silk and wool into equally beautiful tapestries, but now they capture the stories of the Bible.
The Amity Foundation and Tao Fong Shan Christian Centre are cooperating to make these works of art available as a means of developing Chinese Christian art forms and to provide minority groups with needed income .
A variety of scenes from the Life of Christ is available Those pertaining directly to the Nativity include the Annunciation, Birth of a Savior, Visitors from the East, and Escape to Egypt. The tapestries are designed by Dr. He Qi, the first Chinese citizen to hold a doctorate in Christian art.
Small tapestries, about US $30, measure 54x62 cm (21" x 25"); large ones, about US$50, measure 90x103 cm (3' x3'6"). With an additional charge, the tapestry will be gift wrapped in a brocade tapestry pouch.
Contact the Tao Fong Shan Christian Centre. P.O. Box 33, Shatin, N.T. Hong Kong. Tel: 852-605-0839 · Fax: (852) 694-0354.
1999 CHRISTMAS STAMP UNVEILED
The U.S. Postal Service announced that its 1999 religious Christmas stamp will be Bartolomeo Vivarini's (c 1432 - -c 1499) Madonna and Child. The design is part of a painting of tempera on wood completed in 1475 and now hanging in the National Gallery in Washington, D.C . Vivarini , from a family of painters, lived in Venice during the beginning of the High Renaissance in Italy This painting, from his mature years, is considered one of his most important.
CHRISTMAS
B.Vivarini National Gallery of Art
A High Renaissance Madonna and Child by Bartolomeo Vivarini graces the Christmas stamp that will ring out the 20'h century.
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COMING IN FUTURE ISSUES
Land of the Nativity in the Year of Our Lord ***
Christmas Markets in Germany ***
Capturing Beauty in Lladro Porcelains ***
Teaching the Nativity in the year 830 A.D. ***
Recognizing Authentic M.I. Hummel ***
An Unusual Nativity in Algona, Iowa
1999 brings ·
MICHAEL
STUMPF DESIGNS FOR ROMAN
* * * *
Available Christmas 1999, Roman, Inc. is offering a spectacular Designer Nativity based upon the artistry of Michael Stumpf. This creche is the first in a special series from Fontanini Heirloom Nativities Constructed of resin to replicate the appearance of natural brick, stone, and stucco , the lighted creche is compatible with Fontanini' s five-inch Nativity figures. Suggested retail price is $325; with twelve 5" :figures: $450. To find yourauthorized Fontanini Guild dealer, call 1-800-say- Roman (1-800- 729-7662).
GOD IN CRADLE LIES by Thomas Pestel, 1559
Behold, the great Creator makes himself a house of clay, a robe of Virgin flesh He takes, which He will wear for us . Hear how the wise eternal Word like a weak infant cries; in form of servant is the Lord, and God in cradle lies . Join then, all hearts that are not stone, and all our voices prove, to celebrate this Holy One, the God of peace and love.
Submitted byJulieMcFerran, Vancouver, British Columbia
Christmas
this dazzling creche designed by Michael Stumpf for Roman , Inc With stately columns behind, rocky steppes lead to the Holy Family ' s shelter.
CHRISTMAS JOURNEY
One of a series of recollections by James Johnston of his 1998 travels to Christmas markets in Germany and Austria
Lufthansa Flight #437 out of Houston seemed to be suspended above an endless sea of white clouds as it raced towards Frankfurt on the cold night of November 30. This flight was the beginning of a long cherished dream to see Nativities in Germany and Austria during the Christmas season.
Arriving in Frankfurt, I caught the train to my first stop-Bamberg.
BAMBERG
A tour of Bamberg will take you through a thousand years of architectural history: the four-spired Cathedral completed in its present form in 1237, innumerable small churches, and seven hills over which the Old Town spreads. In my eyes, Bamberg is a contender for the most beautiful town in Germany. My stay here was at the Alt-Ringlein Hotel, part of which has been an inn since 1545.
In July of 1995, I was in Bamberg only a few hours, but bought a book called, Das Bamberger Krippenbuch, a 72-page book filled with breathtaking local Nativities. That book had prompted this re-visit.
This crisp December morning, the sky was clear and blue as I began a walking tour. During Advent, churches and museums sponsor a krippenweg-Nativity way. The City tourist bureau publishes a color brochure listing 34 different locations where cribs can be viewed. By the first Sunday of Advent, churches begin to exhibit representations of the Annunciation. Here, the Annunciation is very much part of the initial Nativity display. Figures of Mary and the Angel are arranged in the midst of elaborate village backgrounds filled with people, styled in local Franconian architecture (half-timbered buildings) or of historical Bethlehem. Many of the backdrops include forests of Christmas trees or mountains, where Jesus, the shepherds and Magi will be displayed later.
A half-timbered stable was erected in theMaxplatz, an outdoor setting, surrounded by Christmas trees. In it were Mary and Gabriel. A Nativity in the public square is common in many places.
Three museums exhibit Nativity collections as an annual event: the Diocesan Museum adjacent to the Cathedral, the Old Court linked to it, and the Maternkapelle, which featured local craftsmen. Here, I met a Nativity building teacher or krippenbaumeister. Bamberg also has a krippenbauschule or Nativity construction school. This interest in Nativities is evident when viewing the incredible scenes. It was not possible to see everything in two days. Now, I wish my stay in Bamberg had been longer.
James Johnston, who lives in Houston,Texas, will continue his nan;ative of Germany and Austria in future issues.
This charming creche is one of several intricate models handcrafted by Peter Falchetta.
FINE CRECHES TO ORDER
Peter Falchetta might have retired from the art staff of the Philadelphia Inquirer newspaper in 1981, but he's been busy ever since crafting beautiful wood creches for lucky owners. While at the Inquirer, Falchetta was part of the staff awarded the Pulitzer Prize for the story on the meltdown at the Three Mile Island nuclear plant.
Falchetta's stables are known for their meticulous craftsmanship. They are made of Canadian white cedar. All light up, and the ladders are doweled. He makes three sizes: small; medium, and large, but he also will fill custom orders. Contact him at: 1817 S. Park Ave., Haddon Heights, NJ 08035. Tel: 609-5476193.
this
from
In
Nativity
the Maxplatz, Bamberg, Germany, the figures and setting reflect an old German household.
FRO M OUR REA D ERS :
HOW MANY ANGELS?
Luke's Gospel (2: 13-14 N .R. S. V.) describes that first Christmas night as filled with angels. Have you ever wondered how many angels that might have been?
The Greek word that is used in that text is playthos which means a host, throng or multitude. In the Books of Daniel (7:10) and Revelation (5:11), the angel multitudes are described as ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands upon thousands. As traditionally, the Catholic Church and the Bible have spoken about various types or choirs of angels which make up the heavenly host-nine in all, I would imagine that all nine choirs appeared that night. Over one hundred million Angels, Archangels, Virtues, Powers , Principalities, Dominations, Thrones , Cherubim and Seraphim-all praising God. What a wonderful sight ! Rev. Gregory Ace, Pastor, St . Leonard's Church, Brampton, Ontario
COLLECTOR TRACES NATIVITY INTEREST TO CHILDHOOD
Thanks to Fr. Matthew Powell (author of The Christmas Creche, Pauline Press , 1997) . I was made aware of the Creche Herald. Prior to that, I thought I was unusual in my interest. Since early childhood , I have loved and been interested in the devotion and history of the Nativity Thank you again. Dr. Anthony J. Amodia, Flushing, New York
READER REQUEST:
PLEASE CALL OR WRITE. I collect ONLY the WISEMEN from the Nativity scene. I would love to hear from anyone who has a similar collection. Beverly Fazio (724-465-2952) 2539 Shelly Drive, Indiana, PA 15701
SURVEY
Complete and mail to Creche Herald, 117 Crosshill Road, Wynnewood, PA 19096-3511 or email at: crecher@op.net
1. Do you have an outdoor Nativity display? yes no
a. If you have an outdoor Nativity display, is it: lighted unlighted plastic ceramic/plaster wood
b. How many qgures in your outdoor display No. of humans No of animals
2. Does your church or religious center have an outdoor Nativity display? yes no
a. Is it a live Nativity? yes no
3. Does your city or town GOVERNMENT sponsor an outdoor Christmas di splay in which the Nativity is yes no
If yes, what is the name of your city/town?
4. For which other holidays do you personally use outdoor decorations? Valentine 's Easter Halloween none
5a. About how many Nativities do you own? 5b. About how many figures in your largest Nativity?
6. Have you bought a Nativity or Nativity related item during the past 12 months? yes no
If yes, what did you buy?
7. What subjects or topics would you like to see in Creche Herald?
8. How can we make Creche Herald more interesting for you?
THANK YOU!
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PLEASE PRINT Ms. Mrs. Dr. Rev. Sr Name ____________________
Wearing a woolen cap to guard against the chill mountain air, Gaetano Romano works on a terracotta figure in his studio in Caltagirone, Sicily. The city is known for its ceramics and Nativities.
CRECHE HERALD
117 Crosshill Road
Wynnewood, PA 19096-3511 U.S.A.
