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Cover story:
On our cover is The Nativity by Flemish artist Comelis De Vos (c. 1585-1651). The painting, completed about 1617, hangs in the Saint Paul Church, Antwerp, Belgium.
A large work, about 7 3 feet high by 5 .4 feet wide, it is one of a set of paintings called "Garland of Roses "
The series references fifteen events in the lives of Jesus and Mary, and recalled in the Roman Catholic prayer known as the Rosary in which a string of beads is used. The fifteen events, or mysteries, are divided into three sets: Joyful, referring to the birth and early years of Jesus; Sorrowful, referring to the Passion and Death of the Savior, and Glorious, referring to the divine manifestations of Jesus and Mary. Vos' painting is the third work in the Joyful Mysteries, the others being the Annunciation, Mary's Visitation with her cousin, Elizabeth, the Presentation, and Finding of Jesus in the Temple as he preached to the Elders.
All the mysteries for the Saint Paul commission were painted by well known artists of Antwerp, including Peter Paul Rubens and Anthony Van Dyke. The Vos painting of The Nativity is considered the most popular of the set.
Mary shows the radiant Child, human in his nakedness, to the amazed poor shepherds who kneel in adoration. Wheat stalks form the manger bed. Wheat, suggesting the human nature of Jesus, and referring to the bread of the Holy Eucharist, also stems from the passage in John 12:24: "I solemnly assure you, unless the grain of wheat falls to the earth and dies, it remains a grain of wheat. But if it dies, it produces much fruit."
In the lower center, a lamb with bound feet lies helplessly, a metaphor alluding to the Messiah who will be sacrificed as the Lamb of God. The metaphor of the lamb is one of the most invoked symbols of Jesus. It recalls the exclamation of John the Baptist in John 1:24, "Look! There is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!"
The shepherd's rod, prominently lying near the lamb, might well be a pilgrim's staff, referring to the long pilgrimage of the Incarnation, or, as it lies so close to the bound lamb, could refer to the beating suffered by the Savior during his passion. On the left, a servant girl enters. She balances a glistening metal water jug on her head with her left hand; in her right, barely visible, is a clay pitcher. Has she come to help bathe the Child? Given the elements of the Passion in the painting, is she a symbol for the washing of the Savior's body after death?
This painting is one of Vos' early works. A prominent portrait painter, he was known for his use of local color in his religious works. Note that the shepherds and servant girl are dressed in contemporary 17 th century garb; only Mary wears Biblical dress.
Painting is reproduced with the kind permission of the Saint Paul Church, Antwerp, Belgium.
Dear Readers,
For many years, Joe Camilleri , an artist and subscriber who lives in Gozo, Malta, has been urging me to do all sorts of things First, he wanted to see a color cover on Creche Herald; then he was among those who thought it would be a good idea if we organized a Friends of the Creche society here and joined the International Creche Federation. When he saw those items accomplished, then he started asking when I would be coming to Goza to see the Maltese creches in general and his sculptures in particular. This past May we took him up on his offer.
On the back cover, we show Joe's lovely figures and a contemporary piece by young Victor Agius. Unfortunately, my amateur camera work did not do justice to some of the other extraordinary scenes crafted by the Maltese artists that we saw I guess it will require another visit sometime . Best wishes for a joyous holiday season.
Rita Bocher, publisher
Creche Herald subscription information
Annual rate : $15; Canada/Mexico : US $18
Other countries : US$20
Enclose check or money order payable to Creche Herald. Mail to: Creche Herald, 117 Crosshill Road Wynnewood, PA 19096-3511 U.S.A.
Be sure to include name, address, telephone, e-mail.
Muriel Freeman, Alexandria, Virginia, knitted these Nativity figures. Joseph stands nine inches tall; Mary is eight inches, and the Child is six inches. The Nativity patterns were from the book , Knit the Christmas Story by Jan Messent (Wilton, CT: Morehouse Publishing , 1998). Photo by Cliff Freeman.
GLOBAL GIFTS
GLOBAL GIFTS in San Pedro, California is busy preparing for its 16th annual International Nativity Show and Sale. Hundreds of one-of-a kind creches, gathered throughout the year from all over the world, are new in stock for the season at this nonprofit folk-art emporium just minutes from downtown Los Angeles. A favorite with collectors from all over the country, the show is the only one of its kind on the West Coast, an all-day event that increases in size and fame every year. And GLOBAL GIFTS' Nativity selection is the West Coast's largest.
A panel of longtime creche collectors will be exhibiting their personal favorites and answering visitors' questions. Creches on sale range in size from half a walnut shell to nearly two feet high. Related items for sale will be Nativity books, handcrafted jewelry, holiday gifts and decorative items from every corner of the globe. Feel free to call for directions or with questions or to order the Nativity of your choice.
This year's creches come from Chile, Tibet, Kurdistan, Ecuador, Tasmania, Venezuela, Bosnia, Pueblo and Navajo tribes, Morocco, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Philippines, Mozambique, Ethiopia, Ireland, Netherlands, Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Africa, Russia, Peru, France, Alaska, and many more. They are crafted of beads, glass, textiles, wood, fossilized walrus ivory, seeds, stone, ebony, tin, silver, pottery and more.
GLOBAL GIFTS 529 West 7th Street, San Pedro, CA 90731. Tel: 310-548-1762
FROM OUR READERS:
Joan and Jacob Hamblin, Danville, California, are working as welfare service missionaries for the Church ofJesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. They are stationed in Guatemala City, Guatemala, although their service area also includes El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Belize. Here are excerpts from e-mail correspondence received from them.
June 20, 2002: We have been here in Guatemala City for about two weeks now. We've visited hospitals, have given family seminars in schools, and are looking into setting up vocational programs in an area of high unemployment. We're working with other seniors who have different assignments, so we don't feel as if we're alone.
I have seen a couple of Nativities, but none that I was really interested in, yet.
July J5, 2002: I received the most recent Creche Herald. Thanks. I wish I could be everywhere at once to see how Christmas is celebrated all over the five countries we work with. Did buy my first Nativity-a clay one made from a mold. There are many of the same here, but the figures are well made and have sweet features. It was great to read the write-up of the creche event in Antigua at Christmas time (Summer 2002). I will look forward to that.
July 30, 2002: The Pope was here to create the first Central American saint (Ed. note: Pedro de San Jose de Betancur, a Franciscan friar, 1626-1667). Both days, the Pope's entire route-miles and miles--was decorated with floral carpets created out of colored sawdust, sand, flowers, greenery, and all sorts of things. Each section of carpet was assigned to a different group, and if one group didn't show up, another group filled in for them. The carpets were absolutely phenomenal. Children, teens, and adults all worked together to create designs that looked like luxurious carpets.
People were lined 8-10 feet deep on both sides of the carpets. You could hear the band playing, tinkling of the ice cream vendors, the hawking of the food sellers, the honking of distant cars (no cars were allowed in this area). The huge Guatemalan flag was waving from the Obelisk Plaza, the National police (no guns, just handcuffs and billy clubs) were lined up at finger tip length along both sides of the Pope's route. The color and spectacle were quite exciting.
August 19, 2002: On a recent break from our hospital projects, we visited Chinaultla, a little town where they make pottery, including some beautiful Nativities and angels. They don't use any molds, make everything by hand, and fire them on an open flame, over an improvised "bar-b-que" pit. Fascinating!
Cajun Country
Costa Rica
Native American
The Heart is Where the Nativity Lies by
Dave Kepple
My wife collects Nativity scenes. It started out innocently enough a few years ago. But since then, her " hobby" has expanded to the point where we now have more than I 00 Nativity scenes of various types on display in our home. With each Christmas, the number seems to multiply by geometrical progressions.
Last summer, my son, Dan, thought it would be a great idea to get his mom a Nativity scene for her birthday-in July. Dan figured it would be a great surprise, as surely no one else would even think of getting her a Christmas item in the middle of the summer. As it turned out, however, I also got her a creche for her birthday. In addition, our daughter, Judy, who lives in Washington, D.C., mailed a number of Nativity gift items in a birthday package. And so it goes.
My wife Janet's affection for the depiction of Christ's birth was a seed planted in her youth . In fact, her most treasured Nativity might well be one she received from her grandmother as a child. We still have the box it came in, labeled in her childish hand: "Janet Nickoson and Grandmother Sims-our play of Jesus."
I know it gives a special pleasure to Janet now as she looks upon our two-year old granddaughter, Emily, playing with her own unbreakable plastic Nativity set.
And as is often the case, a little child can really help us understand what is happening better than any adult. I recently heard about the meaning of Christmas as described by a six-year old. The child said, "Baby Jesus is what God's love became when God turned it into a person." And so it is. For it is in our hearts that the Nativity of Christ comes most fully alive.
Reverend Dave Kepple is a Methodist pastor in Middletown, Ohio
???? AND COMMENTS
Q. I have heard about the " cradle rocking" tradition, but has anyone participated in it in the United States?
A. Hope our readers can help with this one. The custom, emphasizing the humanity of Jesus, originated in Germany in about the 14th century. At the Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, a manger would be set up. At first, only the celebrant and altar boys would rock the cradle while the congregation sang lullaby-like carols and sometimes danced; later the people participated in rocking the cradle. By the 16th century, with the Protestant Reformation, the practice began to seem irreverent, and the custom started to die out. It apparently is still practiced in some places.
If anyone has participated in some version of cradle rocking or knows someone who has , please tell us at Creche Herald or write directly to Julia Colflesh, 523 Springfield Avenue, Folsom, PA 19033. E-mail: tsgna@earthlink.net.
Creche Hunting in ... Puerto Rico by
Eileen Canty
Puerto Rico, and especially Old San Juan, are steeped in history. Island art and culture reflect a combination of the Spanish colonizers, the indigenous Taino people, and black African slaves imported to work the fields.
The most frequent images around are the three kings, but, even in mid-July, Nativities were available, including santos or wood carvings. Works can be found in many shops, galleries and museum stores, sometimes only by asking. Hidden in one back room were a Nativity set ($600) by senior santero, Ceferino Calderon, and a creche carved from a cow bone by the late master, Rafael Aviles. In the open, I located items as diverse as a wall plaque key holder ($20), puppets ($35 each), and vases ($35).
A key stop in Old San Juan is Puerto Rican Arts and Crafts, 204 Fortaleza Street with a selection of arts and crafts from all over the island, some of which can be seen on their website, www.puertoricanart-crafts.com. Plaques cost from $8 to $45. Postage size paintings in small plastic stands were under $ 10. Small carved and painted Nativities were about $50. Ceramic sets went up to $100.
A trip south led to a number of fabulous Nacimientos in the Santos 2002 exhibit in Ponce's Edward Durrell Stone designed Museum of Art. Their shop had blue glass plaques of the Magi and Holy Family for $45 each.
The mother lode, however, was the crafts fair m Barranquitas, a town in the center of the island. A good number of the 100+ artisans had Nacimientos. Several members of the Orto family of carvers displayed works. Instead of the $180 1 had paid at home, here, they were about $ 100. One artist represented multiple strains of the Puerto Rican people with very small clay scenes of Taino, Black and Spanish Holy Families for about $10 each. The Taino set reminded me of the Amazon figures in the Lincoln collection displayed at the Friends of the Creche 2001 convention. Larger, more elaborate sets were under $50. My two favorites in non-traditional materials were of horseshoe nails and gourds. Small scenes of nails draped in ribbons were under $20; larger ones with kings riding camels were about $50 Gourds with delicately painted seed Nativity figures went from $20 to $50.
The largest craft fair for Nacimientos is held in San Juan on the first two weekends of December. Many other fairs are scheduled throughout the year by the Puerto Rico Tourism Company (PO Box 9023060, San Juan, PR 009023960) which even publishes a craft map of the island, and the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture (PO Box 9024184 , San Juan, PR 00902-4184 ).
Eileen Canty, Marion , Massachusetts, is a collector.
An Artist in Creche Bargain Hunting
by Mary Herzel
Michael Whalen, Clinton Township, Michigan, may hold the record for bargain hunting for creches and then rewarding his friends. "I enjoy shopping for Nativity sets and related Nativity items. It's an addiction," he confides
For those at the 2001 Friends of the Creche convention, Whalen ' s addiction provided a surprise bonus. It was about noon in the dining room at the Eden Resort Inn. While attendees concentrated on the ample buffet, Whalen took his post at a front table piled high in wrapped boxes. He now was ready to announce the door prizes. From a basket he drew the first winning numbers .
To my surprise, I was among the first group called. A few others and I dashed up to claim a package of our choice. I could never remember winning anything before. Inside my box were figures of the Holy Family. They were mouth blown and hand crafted of blue, green, and gold colored glass.
I soon learned that I succeeded only because Whalen generously had donated 160 creche related door prizes for the 160 people present at this event. Asked where he had gathered all those awards , Whalen says he bargain hunts at post-Christmas sales, saving 50% or more on various items For several years he had bought creches and creche stamped items on stationery, pillow cases, doilies, aprons, glasses, and plates Now at the convention, he was pleased to make the affair extra special for all with items he couldn't resist buying.
About ten to fifteen percent of Whalen's collection comes from after-Christmas, Christmas in July sales, and catalogs that sell off their items in the summer . "Just this past year, I purchased a Holy Family made by an Italian artist who does mostly clowns. His Nativity reflected this motif. It was a little expensive, but when I saw it at half off, I had to have it," confessed Whalen.
"My first experience shopping for creches," he reminisces, "was looking for Nativity figures at the five and ten cents store when I was a kid ." With his few coins, Whalen wanted to fill the small wooden Bethlehem stable his uncle had made for him. Since then, his collection has expanded to 200 Nativities
Shopping for bargains while traveling has also helped his collection At the picturesque mountain towns in Switzerland, Whalen enjoyed watching the wood carvers. "Unfortunately," he sighed, "those creches were very expensive, but lucky enough, I was able to buy a creche at a bargain price in an unusual place-a hardware store."
For Whalen, the creche represents a serene picture showing many walks of life, from a shepherd to a king. During the Christmas season, he hopes to exhibit at his church. He supports Habitat for Humanity and anticipates giving the organization money from donations. "It's a perfect combination, sharing and helping others," he says.
Mary He rz el, Harrisburg, Pe nnsylvania, treasures her prize from the 2001 Friends of th e Crech e Convention
Editor/ publisher: Rita B. Bocher
Co ntributi ng editor : Mary B Herzel
Co mmuni cati ons: Frank B He rze l
11 7 Cros shill Road , Wy nnewo o d , PA 19096-3511 U.S.A.
Web page: www .o p net/- boc as soc/ E-mail: crecher@op net
The Chamber of Commerce of Naples, Italy, sent this presepioto the New York City Fire Department after the September 11 tragedy At Christmas, the 100-piece display is at Saint Michael's Church in New York City. Note the Three Maai behind the arouo of musicians carrv firemen's helmets Creche Hera ld
Michael Whalen 's dau9hter, Jenny, garbed as an angel, charmed guests as she helped give prizes at the 2001 Friends of the Creche Convention
AMltll NATIVITY ttlNlt
B: This miniature clay set depicts Joseph & Mary (approx 1 1/2' tall) & baby Jesus covered with a quilt. A lamb is sleeping at the foot of the manger Figurine stands alone or hangs as an ornament.
A: This detailed clay set includes background , floor and quilt wall hanging $50 00 Aprox 3 inches.
C: Four figure set - Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus covered with quilt and lamb at manger - $45.00 Each additional figurine - $20.00
Artist: Esther O'Hara Phone (717) 859-2464 estherohara2000@hotmail.com
Call or e-mail to place an order or for further details
i)rcrmbrr 5- 15, 2 00 2 11:00a.m. - 6:00p.m. daily
Experience the holiday gemi.itlichkeit of a traditional European Christmas market, reminiscent of the centuriesold German Christkindlesmarket. Authentic gifts, toys, ornaments and food specialties from more than 100 international and regional vendors.
Tented on the grounds of The Osthoff Resort, Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin
Call 800.876.3399 or see www osthoff. co m for information. Admis sion $4
The Family Circus cartoon is reproduced thro ugh th e ge nerosity of Bil Keane.
PAPER-CUTTING SPOTLIGHTS A NATIVITY
by Mary Herzel
Daniel Thomas Paulos is an artist who replaces the brush with scissors and blade. Best known for his works of the Madonna and Child , Paulos brings to life an ancient art form from the Orient, paper-cutting. In this procedure, a design or a picture is cut from a single sheet of paper in such a way that it remains a continuous, connected whole
Paulos has been cutting paper since he was a child He became fascinated by the work of Sister Jean Dorcy, O.P. , a well known paper artist. At school, his teacher enlarged Sister Jean's designs , and asked the young boy to recreate them for the bulletin board He tried so hard to please that he cut his fingers with a double-edged razor blade in trying to get the cuttings just right. He wrote a fan letter to Sister Jean, and to his surprise , he received an answer along with samples of her work
In 1969, Paulos met Sister Jean for the first time. Thus began a lifetime acquaintance and partnership. At the time , he had joined a congregation of religious brothers. However, after ten years in religious life, Paulos decided that his real vocation was in the world, and that he would express his faith by art He became Sister Jean's student, friend, and eventually, her agent.
Paulos became serious about his art when his mentor prodded him to take over where she had left off. Arthritis had robbed her of her gift, and she wanted Paulos to keep the cutting style alive
The artist does his work in black and white. It is a challenge, since there are no colors to enhance or soften the work But he thinks the two most important elements in creating successful sacred art are drama and reverence "I want my religious images to reach out and touch the viewers. I literally want them to hear the invitation, 'come much closer-I want to give you a hug.' "
This is accomplished, he says, by planning and executing a design that works. Paulos draws each of his original designs on tracing paper about 24-inches square. Then he transfers the designs on to the white side of black silhouette paper. He says he always starts his silhouette by first cutting the profiles with a fine Brazilian scissors. Inside lines are cut with a very finely honed razor craft knife. A rule for the sequence in cutting is to cut the smallest areas first , moving from the center to the outside edges, cutting the largest areas last. In this way, the stability of the paper is maintained for the longest possible time.
When the cut-art is completed, he mounts it on a fourply , acid free rag content board. He lifts small areas with the tip of the craft knife and uses a fine artist's brush to apply small amounts of glue, thinned with distilled water. Patience is required, but he finds the process mentally relaxing.
Paulos feels it is not enough to simply create art for a world that is so desperate for beauty. It is imperative to mingle beauty with social justice. A few years ago, he collaborated with Sister Wendy Beckett for one of his books . The book , "In the Midst of Chaos, Peace," offers Beckett ' s reflections with the silhouettes of Paulos and the late Sister Jean Dorcy See www.danpaulos.com. Mary Herze l, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, contributes frequently.
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A delicately cut paper Nativity by Dan Thomas Paulos
FRIENDS OF THE CRECHE NOTES
Dear Friends of the Creche,
As we approach another Christmas season, I hope you are filled with the anticipation of enjoying your creche, or creches, and sharing that joy with those around you Many ofus probably have some creches out all year, but somehow there's an extra glow surrounding them at this time.
We thank you for being part of Friends of the Creche this past year.
While the printing deadline for this issue precludes reporting to you about the annual membership me~ting at Frankenmuth, Michigan, in late October, I'm hopmg the event provides a stimulus for future meetings in other parts of the country. I'm pleased that we managed our first Board election process smoothly, although the only candidates were the existing Board members. We certainly welcome them back warmly, but also extend to you an invitation to consider a candidacy in the future.
If you're not interested in the Board, but would like to be involved in some other way, please let me know Let me stress We certainly can use volunteer help from anyone who i~ a lawyer or computerlwebpage whiz If you can't help in those ways, perhaps you would like to make yourself available to serve our committees as they are formed.
We already are looking forward with anticipation to our convention at Hyannis, Massachusetts November6-8, 2003. It's not too soon to think about attending, and perhaps making the convention part of an extended trip to this inviting, historic region of our country.
As of this writing, we are continuing our effort to obtam federal tax-exempt status as a non-profit organization. ~e also are still working on the development of a website. Both of those efforts are going slower than we would like. However, I hope soon to have good news to report on both matters.
On behalf of the Board of Directors, I wish you all a very joyous Christmas season and, for all of us a peaceful New Year!
Jim Govan, President (JimGovan@aol.com)
With a sense of deep loss, we report the unexpected death on August 19 of Board member, Marjorie Yefchak, Dayton, Ohio. Marjorie was a founding FOTC member. She had an unbounded dedication to the creche and to our new society. In her professional life, she helped manage the nearly one thousand Nativities of the Marian Library at the University of Dayton. As an active Board member, she assisted at the first annual convention, helped develop the FOTC brochure, and served on several committees. We shall miss Marjorie's warm and gentle nature, and extend our sympathy to her family.
Brief self-profiles by recently elected Board members:
Julia Colflesh: My husband and I have been collecting Nativity sets-or, rather, bits and pieces of sets- since 1989. I am interested in the need to document our Nativity descriptions and traditions , and feel I can help do this
Mary Herzel : I am a founding member of FOTC and helped plan and publicize the first national convention . I am contributing editor of Creche Herald. It is my great joy to share the creche experience with others .
Mary Jo Riegel : I have been collecting Nativities since the sixth grade and have about 185 On our travels, Nativities are the first item in our shopping Family and friends have added to our collection
Holly Zenger: I have been directly involved in organizing creche exhibits in California and Utah, and have consulted with other groups across the country Collecting Nativities and setting up displays is my hobby and my passion
Father Richard Cannuli at the 200 I FOTC convention with the Nativity figures he created. Clothing on the figures was de s igned and made by him from fine liturgical vestment fabrics .
Photo by Vernon Awes.
DISCOVERING CRECHES IN CENTRAL EUROPE
"We were surprised how many artists of creches we discovered as we began to search," said Carole Karvazy, the owner of Sandor Collection, New Hartford, Connecticut. She and her husband travel to Hungary, Romania, and Bosnia each year to find handicrafts.
Husband and wife travel by car so they can visit out of the way villages. Bosnia is comprised of Muslims, Orthodox, and Christians, so it takes time to find creche artists. They were fortunate to find the work of Dino Sasic, a woodcarver. His family members have been woodcarvers for generations. Sasic's creche is carved from walnut with a donkey and a lamb standing on the side of the Holy Family. In this poor country that has not recovered from the recent war, Dino's main income is from his wood carvings. "The figures have a very contemporary look, smooth, sleek lines and the wood is stained brown," Karvazy added
In Hungary, they met Katalin Moldavai, an artist who has researched Hungarian folk art. Some traditional features are the curled up moustache on men, the furry wool coat, and a shepherd dog. Moldavi started with just the Holy Family. "Today he has created eighteen pieces for the set, each in traditional colors," said Karvazy.
In touring Romania, they were intrigued by a variety of religious art forms. "The Eastern Orthodox religion prevails in Bucharest, so icons are common. However, in Transylvania, statues for creches are seen. There we saw the artist, Bela Toaso, whose work in wood reflects a great deal of detail."
In their travels, the Karvazys tell artists to stay true to their own culture . "Everyone has interpreted the Bethlehem scene from their own perspective, and helps bring us all closer together," said Karvazy. MH.
2003 FOTC Convention Update:
ARTIST IS KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Internationally known painter, John Giuliani, whose dramatic works have twice graced the cover of Creche Herald, will be the keynote speaker at Creches by the Sea, the Friends of the Creche national convention, November 6-8, 2003, at Hyannis, Massachusetts.
Giuliani, the son of Italian immigrants, was born in Greenwich, Connecticut. He graduated from the Pratt Institute of Art, and then went on to pursue a vocation in ministry, teaching and contemplation as a Benedictine priest.
In 1989, his religious nature and artistic talent drew him to studying iconography with a Russian master at the School of Sacred Art in New York. Through that experience, he came to learn that for Orthodox and Byzantine Christians, the icon is not just a painting, but the representation of a mystical vision-a window into heaven.
Ayear later, Giuliani looked out his spiritual window to see not the traditional symbols of iconography, but those of the indigenous peoples of the United States. Inspired by his vision, he learned to deeply appreciate the religious rituals, symbolism and artifacts of the various tribes. These became the language of his paintings. Giuliani now is recognized for the art form he created-a presentation of Biblical scenes that blend Native American culture with the techniques and forms of Byzantine iconic art.
Agifted speaker as well as artist, Father Giuliani's keynote address will explore a subject he has mastered from both formal study and personal experience-cultural diversity in the depictions of the Nativity scene. A presentation you surely will not want to miss.
$$$$$
From The Story of Cribs & Pasturi in the Maltese Islands (-Gliaqda Hbieb tal-Presepju , Malta , 1985)
As you draw close, 0 wintry night even from children you steal their hour of rest without knowing why , without wanting to, even enemies share a common joy;
0 Joyous memory, 0 memory of sweetness , 0 memory of victory and of honour
0 night blessed by God, amongst all men, Your name always sings beautiful. by Dun Karm Psaila
An Irish Nativity made from peat in the collection of Father Sean Burke, Hong Kong. Peat is partially decomposed organic matter, drained and cultivated , cut out and dried for fuel in Ireland
CELEBRATING THE SEASON
UNITED ST A TES
Connecticut
New Haven: Knights of Columbus Museum, I State St., "Holy Icons of Mother Russia" Christmas exhibit. Oct 2- Jan. 31 .. Wed-Sat, IOam-5 pm; Sun, 1 lam-5pm. Free. Tel: 203-865-0400, X 227
Iowa
Ainsworth. Opera House. Dec. 5,12 :5-9 pm; Dec, 6,7, 13, 14: 10 am-9pm; Dec. 8, 15: 1-5 pm. New York
New York City. Metropolitan Museum of Art. The Angel Tree. About 300 I 8th century Neapolitan figures November 30 to Jan. 5. Admission to Museum.
CANADA
Toronto. The Cathedral Church of St. James, 65 Church St. Exhibit in conjunction with concerts, ballet, markets. office@stjamescathedral.on.ca,www.stjamescathedral.on.ca
ITALY
Canavese (Torino). City Hall. End of Nov - Jan 6. Exhibit and sale. Donations for charity. Roberto Falletti: falletti.roby@tiscali.it.
NETHERLANDS
Rotterdam. Tax & Customs Museum. Parklaan 14-16. Dec. 8 to Jan 12. Tues.-Sun. 11 am-5 pm. www.belasting-douanemus.nl
COLLECTION
This gift boxed chocolate 16-piece Nativity set is available in milk, white, or dark chocolate or a combination of the three. Made by English Cottage Candies, the cost is $ 13.50 plus $5.99 s/h. A $1 fee is added for warm weather shipment. , Write to English Cottage Candies, 631 W. Lincoln Avenue, Myerstown, PA 17067. 717-866-4 789. www.customchocolatecandy.com
All new from The Sandor Collection is our Bosnian Nativity. A modernized version of the classic theme, it is hand-carved of walnut by Dino Sasic. Each unique piece reflects exceptional quality and the skill of its crafter. The six-piece set is perfect for the collector or the person who is looking for a unique and beautiful Nativity. The tallest piece (Joseph) stands 4" tall. Suggested retail is $280.
The Sandor Collection, 14 Johnnycake Lane, New Hartford, CT 06057 Tel: 860-738-1417, email: thesandor.collection@snet.net
Special
FRIENDS OF THE CRECHE LIMITED, SIGNED, & NUMBERED GICLEE PRINT EDITION OF Y/ew Cngfand Y/aliuillf by MAXWELL MA VS
This print, by the well known collectable Northeast artist, is available at a pre-Friends of the Creche convention discount price. SEE IT
Australian Pioneer set, designed and painted by Jilli. Each unique Nativity set is hand turned and hand painted in Southern Tasmania, using selected white sassafras timber.
Visit our website to see examples of this and our other styles: www.deepingsdolls.com E-mail: info@deepingsdolls.com
The Deepings:1118 Nicholls Rivulet Road, Nicholls Rivulet, Tasmania 7112, Australia
In this Southwestern Nativity from artist Jil Gurule, the Holy Family rests by a church. Near the bell tower is an angel. St. Francis stands nearby. E-mail: jguru1e3@comcast.net
Partial view of Nativity display of Benito Santivaiiez, Sunnyvale, California. Figures are from Spain.
ADVENT SYMBOLS OF HOPE
ExcerptedfromALL THROUGH THE DAY, ALL THROUGH THE YEAR.by David B. Batchelder. (Minneapolis: Augsburg Fortress Press, 2000).
Advent begins the church year by calling us to wait for Christ's coming. This season has its earliest roots in Spain and Gaul (France), where it was first celebrated. The word, Advent means "to come," and the four weeks of Advent spark a sense of eagerness and anticipation.
Advent traditions are oriented toward the theme of waiting in hope. In the long and bitter winters of ancient times, people in northern Europe found comfort and hope in branches of trees that never lost their green. When formed into a circle and given the light of candles, this winter greenery became a reminder of the birth of the Light at Christmas. Immigrant German Lutherans brought this custom to North America.
One candle on the wreath is lighted on the first Sunday of Advent and then an additional one on each Sunday after. This growing light in the midst of winter darkness is a sign of God's promised light of Christmas.
The Advent Calendar also originated in Germany. Traditionally, one window or door is opened each day of Advent until Christmas. Some families choose to make their own calendar with each member contributing some art work. Affix art on small, same-sized squares. Affix picture squares to a large sheet of posterboard, and cover each with a slightly larger square of colored construction paper that can be opened as a "door." Number each door for days of Advent, and write a Bible verse or hymn on its reverse side. As door is opened, the artist can talk about what the picture means.
SEEING THE EXTRAORDINARY CRECHES OF MALT A
Malta is an archipelago of five islands in the southern Mediterranean, about sixty miles from Sicily , Italy. The two largest islands in the chain are Malta and Gozo.
Many cultures have fought over the islands because of their strategic position between Europe and Africa, and their location in the waterway that unites the Middle East with Europe For 160 years , until its independence in 1974 , Malta was under British rule . Thus, English is one of the two major languages of the country, the other being Maltese The long recent British rule has resulted in a country that is gently European, but one in which Americans can feel comfortable Valetta, on the main island of Malta , is the capital city. Outdoor cafes and good food lend a European flavor , but its narrow hilly streets are not for the faint of heart.
Gozo , however , was our main goal. That is where artist Joe Camilleri and the other members of the Malta Friends of the Creche live During our stay , we also met Joe Galea , president of the Maltese society, and his brother, Anton, who is a superb creche artist. All graciously welcomed us into their homes We saw an extraordinary creche scene - about 20 feet in depth-constructed by Frank Mizzi in his home, and the unbelievable presepio molded by hand with hot wax by Anton Vassallo . We met a young artist and University student, Victor Agius, who has won prizes for his creche presentations (email : sculptor@ global.net.mt) Victor was our guide on the first day, and showed us his mechanical Nativity for which he had prepared a narrative tape Camilleri is an accomplished painter , sculptor , and teacher (email : camill @ waldonet.net.mt) , whose finely detailed figures are all hand sculpted, without molds . They are highly sought after, and are in institutions and private collections throughout Europe
The Malta Friends of the Creche holds an annual exhibit of handcrafted creches each year during the Christmas season Participants cannot submit the same piece each year , so each exhibit brings a wondrous new collection of exquisitely hand c raft ed display s
Holy Family in white clay by Victor Agius
Prophet and Nativity Scene by Joe Camilleri