3, No.2
Creche Herald Logo Inspires Silver Christmas Ornament
PROGRAM UNVEILED FOR YEAR 2000 INTERNATIONAL CRECHE CONVENTION
The Hotel Irufia Park in Pamplona, Spain, is the site of the International Creche Convention. Following is the preliminary schedule
Wednesday, October 11: Registration Thursday, October 12
9:00: Opening Mass. Homage to St. Francis
10:30: Solemn opening; Creche market
12:00 : Keynote: "Theater as Creche Forerunner"
4:00: Discussion
8:00: Show at Gayarre Theater
10:00: Assembly oflnternational Creche Assn. Friday, October 13
9:00 : Visits to exhibits in Pamplona
4:30: Assembly oflnternational Creche Assn.
6:00: Discussion: The creche in the Year 2000 Saturday, October 14
9:00: Excursion to city of Sangesa Performance ofMisterio de Reyes
1:00: City tour
9:00: Gala dinner Sunday, October 15
10 :00 : Mass at Cathedral of Pamplona
12:00 : Solemn closing of Congress
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
Creche Herald logo as the Heart a/Christmas 1999 sterling silver ornament for Christmas Editions, Sterling, Virginia.
Creche Herald's logo, designed by Michael Stumpf of Doylestown, Pennsylvania, has been honored by being designated the Heart a/Christmas 1999 ornament for Christmas Editions of Sterling, Virginia Titled The Creche, the beautiful handmade ornament was created exclusively for Peggy D. Hart by Chip deMatteo, Hand & Hammer Silversmiths. It is a limited edition of 500.
Of deeply sculpted sterling silver, The Creche ornament is about two inches high and nearly as wide. An enclosed card notes that Creche Herald is the official publication of creche collectors.
Peggy Hart's company, Christmas Editions, is unique in that it sells only two items: Hart'.s books on silver ornaments, of which she has authored three, and a series of silver ornaments created especially for her.
(See Logo on Page 8)
2
WONDERFUL TO HEAR FROM YOU ....
Thank you for your helpful responses.
We are still receiving answers to our survey, so we'll give you the results in a subsequent issue. If you have not yet sent in your survey answers, please do so either by mail: 117 Crosshill Road , Wynnewood, PA 19096-3511, USA, or by e-mail: crecher@op.net.
About a dozen readers expressed interest in the trip to the International Creche Convention; all were widely dispersed It seems best that we not try for group travel. Those interested should see their local travel agent and make reservations as soon as possible if you wish to stay at the Convention quarters, the Hotel Iruiia Park in Pamplona, Spain If you go , we'll plan to meet there.
Many of you liked the idea of a Creche Society. We shall try to set a meeting in late Fall to discuss a possible Creche Society in person. Hopefully , enough of you will be able to attend that we can make some decisions. Keep your ideas and thoughts coming on this one as a Creche Society will be both exciting--and challenging.
Rita Bacher,
Publisher
To celebrate weddings, Fontanini Heirloom Nativities by Roman, Inc. features a new gift-boxed Nativity with a wood stable. Called Beginning Traditions, the set also has a cherub ornament which can be personalized. Suggested retail: $95.
A CHRISTMAS JOURNEY
One ofa series of recollections by James Johnston of his 1998 travels to the Christmas markets in Germany and Austria. His first stop a/Bamberg, Germany, appeared in Spring 1999.
FORCHHEIM
After our stay in Bamberg, we took a thirty minute train ride to Forchheim, another medieval town worth visiting. Churches here sponsored a small krippenweg (Crib way) that included six exceptional Nativities. One of these, Die Fuchsenkrippe, is noted for its mechanical components that are set in motion by coin operated motors. The Town Hall, a masterpiece of half-timbered architecture, is transfonned into a huge annual Advent calendar. Each evening, spectators watch as the Christmas angel opens a window shutter to reveal a picture of a holiday theme.
NUREMBERG
Nuremberg is Bavaria's second largest city. It is justifiably famous for its Christmas Market, Rauschgoldengel (gold foil angels), delicious sausages, and gingerbread. From the beginning of Advent until Christmas Eve , the Market Square is transformed into an enchanted land of wooden stalls with bright bunting and pine branches covered with lights
I also found my way to the St. Egidien Church, about ten minutes from Market Square , which each year exhibits a fine collection of Nativities. There were thirty sets on display ranging from the very elaborate to one with simple straw figures. The premier Nativity this year was a Neapolitan creation set with exquisitely dressed figures in temple ruins.
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE TRIP
The round-trip airfare from Texas was $545. I purchased a first-class Eurail pass for $538 ; this was a mistake. Many of the trains had comfortable second class compartments, and I could have saved about $200 by buying second class tickets as I needed them.
Food prices were comparable to the U.S. Fortunately, I Jove soups and breads which were hearty and delicious. The assortment of sausages also was excellent. So, as you can guess, I didn ' t lose any weight on the trip.
James Johnston, an avid collector and traveler, makes his home in Corpus Christi, Texas
Commemorate the 2000th anniversary of Christ's birth with a special Fontanini Nativity that's available only for a limited time. The Fontanini Millennium Edition Nativity promises to be a lasting reminder of this milestone in our lives. The 12-piece collection features intricately sculpted 6 1/4-inch figures,, each capturing life-like details and hand-painted in vibrant colors with gold accents. You can showcase this Nativity scene in a lighted Millennium Edition Creche with a "MM" brass plaque proclaiming the new century. The creche's hand-painted details and "stained glass" window also create a beautiful setting for the Holy Family.
Visit a Fontanini Guild Dealer in your area to welcome this Nativity scene and creche in time for the new Millennium. Call 1-800-SAY ROMAN to find a dealer in your area or i~man, (JnC:sit our Web site at www.roman.com.
FROM OUR READERS:
MAKING PERSONAL CRECHE DECORATIONS
We do something at home that might be of interest to other Creche collectors. Take the beautiful Christmas cards that have a Nativity scene on them and cover with "decal-it." Then remove the back paper so there is just a decal. Cut the decal so that it fits around a sytrofoam ball, glue it to the ball and add trim. These Creche Balls are lovely and add an original note to your Christmas tree. This year I also received a Nativity of my grandchildren. My children had dressed them as the Nativity figures, taken a photo, and had it put on plastic. The is the second one they have done for me . It is a big hit at the Creche exhibit.
Holly Zenger, Midway, Utah
NEW CHRISTMAS SHOPPE OPENING
You are invited to our Christmas museum and year around holiday gift shoppe on historic Market Street in Corning, New York, that is opening May 1999. The main focus of the museum is an antique Putz. One side of the mountain will be the story of the Christ Child, and it then will continue to expand to Lausha, Germany, and the American wilderness
We see it as a way to bring the true meaning of Christmas to the public and to preserve old Christmas customs.
Suzanne Kennedy-Brennan, President, CHRISTMAS FOR EVER SHOPPE & MUSEUM, Coming, New York
Creche
Herald
JOINS THE F AM1LY
Years ago, my daughter, Linda, made up a large nativity set. The camel was almost 12" tall. That started her off and now she has about 170 sets. That first set is still the largest, and until last week , her smallest fit into a walnut shell . Now she claims to have one even smaller. In the meantime, she suggested I also get a subscription for my brother-in-law, Bob, a Franciscan Brother. This will be a belated birthday gift. Please let him know it was a gift from " Speed" because he has three sisters-in-law named Dolores Can you believe it?
Dolores Kozack , Chi c ago, Illinois
In this Millennium Year, Give Creche Herald as a gift.
MEMORIES
Mary B. Herzel' s article on a "Birthday Journey in Ethiopia" (Winter 1998) brought back memories for me. I was born in Asmara, Ethiopia as my father was in the Italian army there. From Ethiopia, we went to Italy, and then I came to New York in 1953.
Each year I do a presepio, and I always like to get new ideas from other people as to how they do theirs. Generally, I put all the houses, :figurines, animals, trees, etc., on a 4' x 6' table and rearrange them until it seems to work for me : I would appreciate hearing what others do in setting up their presepios.
Vincent Barresi, Virginia Beach, Virginia
SHARING A Creche Herald
My most recent newsletter has been given to a coworker's husband who is also a collector.
I currently have over 160 sets, the oldest from my parents' first Christmas-60 years ago. I began my collection many years ago in grade school. I love to travel, but most of my creches, other than Mexico, are from retail stores-even thrift shops.
Mary Jo Riegel, Dayton, Ohio
A COLLECTOR'S FAVORITE DISPLAY
Thought you might be interested in the enclosed picture of my 5-inch Fontanini Nativity scene.
Rev. Joachim Spexarth, O.S.B. , Shawnee, Oklahoma
The fascinating world of Bethlehem unfolds in this lovely display owned by Rev Joachim Spexarth, Shawnee , Oklahoma
SHE PUTS CRECHES IN EGGS
by Mary Herzel
Cora Logsdon of Palmyra, Pennsylvania, has friends all over the world who send her the eggs she needs.
"I praise God for the ability he has given me to work with my hands," she says, on being asked about the complex art form in which she works Her elaborate eggs are reminiscent of the famed jeweler to the Russian czars, Peter Carl Faberge. She has won many prizes in national "eggury" competitions. Often she sells her creations, but she finds, "It's more fun giving away than selling ."
Cora, who claims to be a young 85, uses egg art to tell the story of the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Her collection ofBible eggs includes two ostrich egg shells with miniature tableaux of the Nativity.
This artist got started in her native Fullerton , California, where, she said, eggury is very popular She has taken classes in paper tole , decals , decoupage and dioramamaking for her egg work.
To Cora, an egg represents the renewal of life. She works with egg shells of chickens , geese , quails, finches, turkeys , rheas , and ostriches She has done "egg interpretations" of her travels and children's tales, but as a Biblical scholar, she prefers religious themes.
Her late husband created special tools for her, and she works with manicure scissors and a special drill. When we visited , she had just cut up a rhea eggshell into ten slices , which then would be hinged together with the pictures and words from the 23 rd psalm.
"Egg art is the work of love," Cora declares , " I always love to share. That's the joy ofliving. "
5
LLADRO PORCELAINS REFINE ANCIENT ART
Lladr6 porcelains are related in technique to the ancient Chinese porcelains , and although the Spanish works incorporate modern innovations, the basic methods have changed little .
The Chinese were the first to produce porcelain well over a thousand years ago. When not tinted, porcelain is pure white, and when fired properly, becomes translucent at its thinnest parts. For the Oriental , true porcelain will "ring" like a bell when tapped.
True or hard paste porcelain is basically comprised of a combination of kaolin (aluminum silicate) and petuntse (aluminum and potassium silicate). The materials are quite rare and occur in workable quantities only in certain parts of the world After the materials themselves , the next challenge for the porcelain artist is to achieve the high firing that is required- 14500 centigrade which vitrifies the piece
Atthe Lladr6 plant, the three founding Lladr6 brothers , Jose, Juan, and Vincente, personally involve themselves in all phases of a new piece, and especially at the planning stages. Concepts that pass their scrutiny go on to the next step of being sculpted into a master model. When that is accepted , then it is copied in plaster.
This plaster copy, with its exact duplication of the master model's tiniest details , becomes the working model. Many of the Lladr6 pieces are too large or too complex to be cast in a single mold , so it is at this stage that the decision is made as to how to cut up the sculpture for making the individual molds. These molds are then filled with the porcelain paste, the formula for which is the company ' s greatest secret, and allowed to dry slowly
When appropriately dry, the porcelain sections are removed from the molds and polished Defective moldings are discarded , and perfect ones are fitted back together precisely to form the original model. Now come the painters who painstakingly apply the delicate colors that create the trademark Lladr6 palette They are followed by the craftsmen who spray the finishing varnishes. It is these varnishes that vitrify when heated to form the shimmering Lladr6 surfaces.
And finally , the critical firing . A false step here , and months of labor are destroyed .
from its germination as an idea to the market, a Lladr6 work of art can take a year or more. At the end , it epitomizes a harmonious fusion of inspiration, alchemy , magic , poetry , skill , and dedication .
An ostrich egg opens on a vision of the Holy Night. Made by Cora Logsdon , Palmyra , Pennsylvania
GLAD TIDINGS IN A SAXON TIME
It was about the year A.D 830 Charlemagne ' s son was on the throne . An unknown monk began writing the story of Christ for the Saxons . These were a warrior people from Northern Germany , many of whom had migrated to E ngland four centuries earlier along with the Angles to become the pagan English The Saxons had been forced into Christian conversion through a bloody 30-year war with Charlemagne and baptized by force
Every winter when Charlemagne and his army returned to Aix-la-Chapelle, local resentment of the conquerors was manifested in the sporadic guerrilla warfare that broke out. With the first snows of the approaching winter solstice , the holly and ivy reappeared in houses as the Saxons returned defiantly to their worship of the old gods and its practices.
To appeal to his reluctant listeners , this unknown writer imagined what the story of the Nativity would have been if Bethlehem had been a hillfort settlement in Northern Europe and if the birth of Jesus had been the birth of a new chieftain for humankind
Seven years ago , that Saxon gospel was translated by Fr. G . Ronald Murphy , SJ, a professor of German at Georgetown University. We are excerpting here parts of the Nativity narrative .
Notice how the story of the Nativity changes to reflect the Saxon values and environment. The " Protector" in the first sentence was the title given to Saxon chieftains by their subordinates Instead of sheep in the fields, the author describes horses and horse-guards. Since horses were a prized item of the Saxon warrior class and horse-guards must have been trusted servants, this scene is made familiar to the listeners. Another reason to change to horse-guards was the unacceptability of shepherds, and the unlikelihood for Saxons that angels would talk to serfs .
The long-ago author also omitted the part of no room for Mary and Joseph at the inn Such inhospitable treatment would have been unthinkable to the Saxons in a hillfort , especially the ancestral home fort of the couple.
At that time it all came to pass, just as wise men had said long ago : that the Protector of People would come in a humble way, by His own power, to visit this kingdom ofearth. His mother, that most beautiful woman , took Him, wrapped Him in clothes and precious jewels, and then with her two hands laid him gently, the little man , that child, in afoddercrib , even though he had the power of God, and was the Chieftain of mankind. ...
What had happened became known to many over this wide world. The guards heard it As horse-servants they were outside , they were men on sentry duty, watching over the horses, the beasts of the field.
They saw the darkness split in two in the sky, and the light of God came shining through the clouds and surrounded the guards in the fields. Those men began to feel fear in their hearts. They saw the mighty angel of God coming toward them He spoke to the guards face to face and told them they should not fear any harm from the light.
" Glory now be , " they said, " to the Lord Chieftain Himself, in the highest reaches of heaven , and peace on earth to the sons of men , men of good will, who because of their clear minds recognize God!"
The herdsmen understood that something great had been told to them - a merry message! They decided to go to Bethlehem that night, they wanted very much to be able to see Christ Himself
The Wise Men are depicted as "road-weary warriors ," "thanes whose hearts became merry within them" when the star showed them the way They came "walking the long road over the land to get there," rather than on camels as we are used to seeing them depicted . One of them tells Herod about the star they are following and why.
The king is born , daring and strong. We saw His beacon-light shining cheerfully among the stars of heaven , and thus I know that the holy Chieftain placed it there Himself The greatest ofour desires was to be able to see Him Himself, to know where we should look for Him , the King in his empire Tell us to which clan He has been born
When they finally see the Holy Infant, the Wise Men behave like good Saxons:
The foreign fighting men fell to their knees to the good Child and greeted him in the royal manner. Th ey carried the gifts to Him : gold and incense as a sign of divinity , and my rrh as well The men stood there attentively, r espectful in th e presence of their Lord, and soon received It [the Child] in a fitting manner in their hands.
The Heliand : The Saxon Gospel , translated and with commentary by G . Ronald Murphy , S.J . (New York : Oxford Univer sity Pre ss, 1992) is reprinted here with the kind permis sion of the author. The note s are adapted from an article by the author in C ompany, a magazin e of th e A merican Jesuits, Winter 1998/99.
Joan Kottler ' s distinctive creche has enchanted British collectors for decades. It now is available by mail order for the first time
FIRST TIME OFFER OF UNIQUE CRECHE FROM ENGLAND
A hand crafted creche, designed by Joan Kottler of Northampton, United Kingdom, will be available for export in limited quantities for the first time this year In 1999 , only 600 Kottler creches totally will be made ; a few will be sold by mail order outside the United Kingdom. All will become available in August.
Kottler has been crafting creches since 1976. She started out with just eight figures, and no stable or animals . That first year she sold in just a few months all 200 that had been made Ever since that time , she has sold out her entire stock each year.
" I have tried to produce something accessible to children and adults that captures the essence of Christmas-the mystery of Christ, the Son of God , born in a stable far from home , and the wonder of all mankind from the poorness of the shepherds to the richness of the kings ," explained Kottler recently in talking about her Nativity. " The stable is based loosely on a Nativity scene by Rembrandt which is in the National Gallery in London. Clothing on the figures is a mixture of stiffened silks , mainly from India , velvets , cottons and hessians which are shaped to give them movement. I have resourced the fabrics from all over the world. The woods we use are from local merchants, with our veneers coming from a marvelous warehouse in East London which can hardly have altered since the days of Dickens."
In the set, Joseph carries a small lantern that lights , and there is a small light in the stable itself. Transformers and fittings are suitable for Europe or North America, according to Kottler
As she reminisced about experiences in selling her creche, Kottler recalled one particular passerby, " There was an elderly lady who pointed out to her grown-up daughter the gifts that the kings were carrying, 'That one is the gold , and there is the myrrh , and that must be the Frankenstein. "'
Contact: Joan Kottler , The Pheasantry Cogenhoe, Northampton NN7 lLS , U.K. Web site : http ://www christmascribs .com E-mail : christmas-cribs@ thepheasantry.freeserve co uk
SCANDINAVIAN CANDELABRA INTERPRET THE NATIVITY IN LIGHTS
In natural wood or decoratively painted, the unusual candelabra offered by Scandinavian Imports are meticulously handmade. Suitable for a festive holiday table , mantle decoration or in the front window , each features a delicately hand carved Nativ ity. The lights recall the traditional St. Lucia Day in Sweden See ad on page 9 .
SCANDINAVIAN IMPORTS: Telephone or Fax: 1-860-664-4597
WAX FIGURES KEEP OLD TRADITION ALIVE
As unusual as it may now seem to many of us, beeswax was once a very common substance to create Christmas figures and ornaments in the 1800's in Germany. At first, gingerbread bakers produced wax castings from their cookie boards; later, manufacturers made molds for heads, torsos, arms and legs for assembling these wax figures.
Early German settlers brought the custom of making wax figures and ornaments to America. Housewives poured melted beeswax into their prized wooden cookie molds, made from fruitwood and many years old. As these cookie molds originally were intended for springerle cookies, the wax castings sometimes were painted in bright colors to resemble decorated cookies.
For those interested in making their own heirloom three-dimensional wax figures, a catalog, that includes the Nativity and other figures, is available for $3 from Kathryn Luna, 24796 Sunstar Lane, Dana Point, CA 92629-1905. The $3 is refundable with your first order Supplies you'll need for wax creche figures are simple : Beeswax: about 1 lb. makes two Nativities Empty coffee can; Masking tape; 4-6 springback binder clips (available at stationery stores);
Cooking spray; Sharp knife; Molds
For those who already have wax figures and find a white, powdery film, or bloom, on them when you take them out of storage, Kathryn Luna offers a tip: Rinse the wax casting under warm water and gently rub off. For finer detailed areas, use a soft artist's paintbrush. Dry gently with soft lint-free cloth.
LOGO (Continued from page 1)
Hart's fascination with silver began in 1972 when she first noticed the sterling silver ornaments. She told her family about them, and that year received three for Christmas. That began her odyssey in the world of silver ornaments. She now is a recognized industry authority on such collectibles.
Silver, as a tree decoration, appeared in 19th century London. By about 1853, gentlemen who traditionally presented a lady with a pair of gloves as a precursor to marriage, now asked jewelers to craft miniature mittens in sterling silver. The mittens, a symbol of the couple's courtship, were added to the other decorations on the Christmas tree. In response, ladies answered with a sterling silver heart, fashioned as a stickpin or brooch, which men wore on their sleeves, hence the saying, "Wearing one's heart on one's sleeve."
Hart designs the ornaments which are executed by Hand and Hammer. Appropriately, each ornament starts with a heart, within which is a special Christmas image. Price of each piece is based on the quantity purchased : one: $50 ; 2-5: $38 50; 6-9 : $35; 10 or more : $28 .50. One may buy any combination of designs made from 1995 to the Year 2000 to get the special pricing Earlier designs are more.
Contact Christmas Editions at 101 E. Holly, Suite 3, Sterling, Virginia, 20164 . Tel : 1-703-444-6155
E-mail: PeggyPhD@AOL.com or check the home page: http: //members.AOL.com/PeggyPhD/ peggyshomepage.index.html
Wax crechefi~res and ornaments made by Kathryn Luna
Partial view, Vincent Barresi 's presepio, Virginia Beach, Virginia.
As soon as the child was born --almost 2000 years agoit all began a never-ending stream of visitors, coming to his creche.
First the angels, followed by shepherds, their families and their cattle . People from the East and West, wise people, showing in the color of their skin that they came from different regions and out of a different shine of the sun. They came in different ways, on their wings high from heaven and carried by the sky; on foot from the neighboring fields, on camels, dromedaries, and horses from very, very far.
Around the Christmas Creche A Reflection by
J. G. Donders
sometimes very plain but then again full of spice, cinnamon, coriander and peppers
They brought different gifts, cheese, gold, buttermilk, frankincense, :firewood, water, oil but also myrrh and even gold It was a coming and a going that never seemed to end, until the harshness of the world interrupted that procession, when they had to flee the wrath of Herod and of the old world
But the manger and its child remained a sign of a changed tide, once we will be all together enjoying the new life born to all of us, to whatever nation we belong.
Every day there was another smell around their campfires © J. G Danders. Reprinted with permission of the author
JOSEF
Red with natural carved nativity scene (18" x 15")
$93 incl.. shipping
THE HOLY FAMILY
Natural wood with carved wood nativity scene. Light blue background (17" x 13 ") $83 incl. shipping
MARY
White with carved wood nativity scene (18" x 15") $87 incl. shipping
These electric creche candle holders make a wonderful statement. The soft candles highlight the nativity, spread a glow and, when you place it in the window, accents the holiday season by casting its light in and outside All three wooden handmade creche lights are boxed for easy storage and protection a nd include three spare bulbs. We accept credit cards. Telephone or Fax 1-860-664-4597
SCANDINAVIAN IMPORTS
WORLD WAR II POW'S CREATE TRADITION
Imagine, if you can, being thousands of miles from home at Christmas. Add to that the knowledge that your country is at war and you are a prisoner in a foreign land. That was the situation with 3000 men being held in the Prisoner of War Camp near Algona, Iowa, in 1944.
Eduard Kaib, an architect from Bielefeld, Germany, and a non-commissioned officer of the German Army, felt the isolation of being separated from his family. His loneliness inspired the building of a creche.
Kaib and his friends, also prisoners , began the scene in the fall of 1944. Working long hours to create the sacred designs, the men used their own money to purchase the materials. The figures are half size, and are made of concrete on a wire frame and finished with hand carving in painted plaster.
The Infant lies in a straw-filled crib; Mary and Joseph kneel on either side. Wise Men approach with gifts, while behind them, drivers lead their camels. Shepherds are seated around a campfire listening . to the glad tidings. Water rushes down a stream into a tiny lake and Bethlehem appears in the background.
It took a full year to complete the project, but in December 1945, the scene was ready. The POWs set up the Nativity on the edge of the camp, west of Algona, so the public could easily view it. That started a tradition . When the war ended and the POW camp disbanded in 1946, the Junior Chamber of Commerce requested the scene stay in Algona. Kaib and his co-workers helped reassemble the figures in a new location.
Since 1958 , the Men's Club of the First United Methodist Church in Algona has sponsored the Nativity The scene since has been moved to new quarters. By arrangement with Kaib, no admission is charged . June Bonde, Newell, Iowa, visited the display, and noted " it is the most interesting Nativity I have seen. "
RIBERA-ORTEGA PUBLISHES NEW BOOK
Pedro Ribera-Ortega, the official historian of Santa Fe, New Mexico, and its Christmas traditions, announces the publication of his new book, La Guadalupe and La Conquistadora in the Catholic History of New Mexico, 1998. The book, written for the fourth century observance of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, is $12, including postage . Contact Pedro Ribera-Ortega, 562- l/2East Garcia Street, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501. Tel: 505-982-5639
EXHIBIT AND ACTIVITY SCHEDULE
Please send date, time and place of your Nativity events for inclusion in our Fall issue. Mail to Creche Herald, 117 Crosshill Road, Wynnewood, PA 19096-3511, USA, or e-mail: crecher@op.net.
???? AND COMMENTS
Q. I have heard there is a story about modem wise men. Would you recount it please.
A. The story is mentioned in an article titled "Shepherds or Wise Men: Which Shall it Be," by Dick Bresnahan in America, January 3, 1998.
It seems that the three modem wise men traveled to the city of Peace, the new Bethlehem They sought to offer their gifts as solutions to the world's woes. The first offered gold, suggesting it would buy all power on earth. The second, instead of frankincense, brought computers and electronic media. Their scent would drug the mind into thinking every problem was solvable. The third brought myrrh in the form of the split atom. It would be a weapon against anyone opposing peace.
When they arrived in Bethlehem, they met St. Joseph. He refused to admit them. To the first one he said, "Your gold can provide many material necessities, but you forgot Jesus." To the second, he said, "Your modem technology can provide valuable information, but you forgot Jesus." To the third, he said, "Your atomic power is awesome both in what it can do for good and what destruction it can wreak, but you forgot Jesus."
In this version, the Wise Men leave, sadly shaking their heads at St. Joseph's foolish words.
In tpe late l 950's, these composition figures from Italy sold for 25 cents each. Now worth $5-$7 on the secondary market.
An open view of the hand carved ANRI Millennium Triptych . It closes in the form of a Gothic arch.
This reverent depiction of the Nativity in wood , the Millenium Triptych from ANRI Art, Italy , is by Rudi Kostner, one of ANRI ' s leading master carvers.
Deeply sculpted in alpine maple , the center panel shows a seated Mary holding the Child, with Joseph, lamp in hand , standing behind. An ox and donkey flank the Holy Family On the left, three shepherds gaze on the scene , while on the right the Magi present their gifts. The carved relief is painted in delicate colors.
Nine inches high, the triptych is 12 inches wide when open and six inches when closed. Silk screened on the back is a legend that reads: The new ANRI Millennium 2000 nativity was created in limited edition to celebrate the historic moment of the new Millennium ." There is also a unique ANRI seal , and included in the special packaging, one from the Grande Giubileo 2000 Committee of the Vatican . Th e ANRI Millennium Triptych , limited to 500 pieces worldwide , has a su ggested retail price of $13 90 00
LIVE NATIVITIES: Donnalee Dox, Ph D. , assistant profe ssor , Univers ity of Ari zona , is doing research on live Nativities . If you know of any, please notify Dr Dox : University of Arizona , Department of Theater Arts , P.O Box 210003 , Tucson , Arizona , 85721. Tel : 520-621-5620 ; Fax : 2412 . E-mail : ddox @ u arizona edu
SENDING PHOTOS TO Creche Herald
Creche Herald welcomes your photographs and personal stories. As we are a black and white newsletter, it is very important that photographs be as sharp as possible, and as close-up to the subject as possible.
It is best if photographs are taken in black and white, but we know that is not always possible. If you take color, be sure there is good contrast between the item you are photographing and the background . We have received wonderful photographs which we could not publish as the color of the subject was too similar to the background; subject and background would merge when printed
Some of you have sent photographs of entire displays Those are exciting for me to see, and I enjoy them tremendously. The creativity, imagination, and complexity of your Nativities are often breathtaking. Your village buildings are wonderfully done, and the variety of figures that you own is absolutely amazing However , our printed page does not always do justice to your displays , so sometimes you might want to send in photos of individual figures or small groups, or do closeups of a building or construction of which you are especially proud ABOVE ALL, KEEP THOSE PHOTOS COMING!
Photo of partial view of creche, St. Joseph ' s Church, Ida , Michigan, submitted by Suzanne Dial, Toledo, Ohio .
SUBSCRIPTION APPLICATION
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CRECHE HERALD
117 Crosshill Road
Wynnewood, PA 19096-3511
USA
Rev. Johann G. Roten S/00 Director, Marian Library
University ofDayton Dayton , Ohio 45469-1679
Carved from a single block of wood by Vladas Rakuckas of Lithuania , this Nativity is from James Gavan's collection, Arlington, Virginia.