Creche Herald -VY (SS >OV 3V]L 6^U VY *VSSLJ[ *YLJOLZ Vol. 20, No. 4
The Newsletter of the Christmas Nativity
Winter 2016/2017
On the cover: Future creche lovers check out the stable at the Nuremberg Christkindlemarkt.
From the Editor: The heartiest greetings for a very Happy Christmas and peace filled 2017. This is our season. The season when we crechers shine like the star on top the tree. It is for whom we dedicate our Christmas issue this year. But we also ask this question. Will there be young creche lovers behind us to keep alive this wonderful tradition of portraying the birth of Jesus Christ? In the hope of a positive answer to that question, we are discussing pageants, nativities for children, nativity storytelling and things to do with our younger people during the Christmas season even in the kitchen. Since Christmas is all about family exemplified by the Holy Family, I have pressed some of my family members to contribute their recollections of how to interest children in the nativity at an early age. (MW) Still time to view creche displays: Wynnewood, PA, Ryan Library at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, 100 E. Wynnewood Rd. 610-785-6274, includes sets from the Andes, India Nepal and fine art sets from Msgr. D’Addezio’s private collection.
Creche Herald subscription information
Membership in Friends of the Creche includes subscription to the Creche Herald. Published four times yearly. To become a member please send check payable to Friends of the Creche $35 for USA addresses or $40 in US dollars (addresses outside USA) Mail to: FOTC Membership/Marilynn Gillespie 7564 South 2020 East, South Weber, UT 84405-9641 USA Be sure to include name, address, telephone number and email.
Creche Herald is the newsletter of Friends of the Creche (a 501(c) 3 nonprofit corporation). Published by and for its members. Editor: Michael Whalen | Founding Creche Herald Editor: Rita Bocher
Comments, submissions to: 19640 Driftwood Dr., Clinton Twp., MI 48038 or crecheguy@att.net We are eager to share opportunities that might be of interest to our readers/ members.A mention in this newsletter does not imply endorsement or that compensation was received for such mention but only done for the benefit of our readers.
If you build it, they will come.
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Creche Herald
Follow the Star to Bethlehem
The town of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania was founded by the Moravians on Christmas Eve of 1741. 276 years later, Friends of the Creche will gather there for our convention. WHEN: October 25-28, 2017 Thomas Jefferson wrote to George Washington that Alexander Hamilton had visited Bethlehem, in Pennsylvania, in a letter dated May 15, 1791. Hamilton stayed at the Sun Inn. In March of 1799, Fries Rebellion, part of what is commonly known as the “Whiskey Rebellion” took place in the courtyard of the Sun Inn in Bethlehem. Come see for yourself.
WHAT: 2017 Friends of the Creche Convention: Follow the Star to Bethlehem WHO: Any and all who enjoy creches, collecting, trading, buying, selling, learning about and seeing traditions around creches — and their friends and family. WHERE: Bethlehem, Pennsylvania Bethlehem is about 80 miles west of New York City and about 70 miles north of Philadelphia, in eastern Pennsylvania. We are near New Jersey and Delaware. Nearest airport to Bethlehem is the Lehigh Valley International Airport, in Allentown (ABE). Our convention hotel is the Best Western Lehigh Valley Hotel Conference Center. Book directly with the hotel. Phone the hotel registration desk, 1-610-866-5800 and reference “Friends of the Creche.” We have negotiated a nightly cost of $99 per night for the first 50 participants, single or double. BREAKFAST BUFFET: A complimentary breakfast buffet is included for guests that stay overnight. The hot breakfast buffet features: scrambled eggs, breakfast meat, French toast or pancakes, breakfast potatoes, breakfast breads including bagels, Danish, muffins, assorted cold cereals, oatmeal, fresh fruit, juices, coffee, tea and milk. We can access a private dining area for breakfast “meetings” if we wish. HOTEL SHUTTLE: Complimentary shuttle to Lehigh Valley Airport is available. Free parking on site for those driving. We will schedule shuttles to and from other designated Bethlehem Sites. We will have, in addition to nine presentations and a meeting, a Members’ Museum, a Silent Auction, Vendors (booth can be rented for $35 plus a contribution to the Silent Auction, and 5% of sales), two tours off campus, and a Saturday banquet. Winter 2016/2017
Pre-Tour on Wednesday, October 25: Bus trip to National Christmas Center in Paradise, Pennsylvania with lunch and shopping at Shady Maple following. Optional cost TBD. Pre-Tour on Thursday, October 26: Bus trip to Byer’s Choice in Chalfont, Pennsylvania and to the Glencairn Museum in Bryn Athyn, PA, with lunch between. Optional cost TBD We are asking “Makers” who created these traditions to tell us their history, why, and how these evolved. Details are not yet “nailed down:”
• The Making and Meaning of the Putz (the Moravian Churches of Bethlehem) • The Making and Meaning of the Moravian Love Feast (Central Moravian Church) • The Making of the Christmas Store at the Central Moravian Church • The Making of the Moravian Star (several possibilities) • The Making of the 50 year Quaker Christmas Peace Pilgrimage: Nazareth to Bethlehem • The Making of the 20 year old Luminaria Night Fund Raiser (New Bethany Ministry) • The Making of the Live Bethlehem Christmas Pageant 38 year tradition (Dave Landis) • The Making of the Presepio (Michael Palan and Karen Loccisano) • The Making of the Glencairn Museum (Ed Gyllenhaal) • The Making of a Nativity Museum, Gift Shop and Nativity Room (Margo Dixon) • The Making of a Gaudeamus Concert (Dr. Bennett Durham of DeSales University) • The Making of the National Christmas Center in Paradise, PA (Jim Morrison) The exact cost of the convention itself has not been firmed up, but we promise that if you have saved up $500 for the 2017 convention, you won’t go over your budget (hotel being a separate consideration.) Registration forms will be sent in January. Vendor tables are available. Silent auction will be held, so bring your donation for that. Member’s museum will feature new acquisitions you wish to display for participants to admire. “Swap meet” will be held, for those who make Nativity related items to give to friends. A festive event will be held off campus for those who wish to participate on Friday night. Questions? Contact Margo Dixon at 610-419-0219 or margodixon2@gmail.com 3
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever Re-imagined For the 21st Century By Theresa Whalen
There probably is no better vehicle to tell the Christmas story than the old, tried and true Christmas pageant. Countless churches, schools, scout troops, etc., have attempted to tell this wonderful story. Some productions have been lavish using real animals ala Radio City Music Hall and the late Crystal cathedral in Anaheim with flying angels looking so real, you were sure they didn’t have legs and could feel the breeze overhead. Then of course there are the simplest “just the facts” version from Luke’s Gospel with perhaps some traditional carols mixed in such as “While Shepherds Watched” and “We Three Kings” and concluding with “Silent Night.” The wonderful thing about such pageants is that in can involve many young people in the story and each year sets up the competition as to whom will be awarded the major roles of Mary, Joseph and the nonspeaking roles right down to perhaps a sheep or cow. A few years back a book, titled, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever appeared and sold well and then was followed by a television movie starring Loretta Swit in the lead part. Many of us, of course know her as Nurse Margaret Houlihan on the television series, MASH. Though now out of print, there are still copies available in libraries and on Amazon and so I would suggest a re-read of this delightful tale. This quick read by Barbara Robinson published by Harper and Row in 1972 is in a nutshell the story of a mom who suddenly gets “stuck” directing the annual pageant when the usual director, Mrs. Armstrong breaks her leg. To set the stage, there is this “wild family” for lack of a better way of saying it, known as the Herdmans that always seem to be were the trouble is. Everything from head lice to mysterious fires seem to follow them. In her attempt to accomplish the task, our heroine allows the Herdmans to become part of the pageant who are there of course for all the wrong reasons, such as the donuts. The major roles pre-selected by the ailing Mrs. Armstrong 4
are now forced to step aside for any number of reasons which you can just imagine are both hilarious and a bit unsettling. The Herdmans are not above giving someone five good reasons or the proverbial fist to bow out, the way Lucy does to Charlie Brown in their version of the Christmas story. The test of a true classic is that it may be read by many generations and still have meaning. Let me quote an example from the book to make my point. The Herdmans on the night of the pageant are described as follows: “They looked like the people you see on the six o’clock news – refugees, sent to wait in some strange ugly place, with all their boxes and sacks around them.” What is wonderful about this story is how many Gospel values are woven into this classic Christmas story so it can be enjoyed by both adults and children. To name just a few, being chosen from the least qualified for the job to being chosen to run the show literally, including all and inviting all to be part of the good news of salvation not just a certain chosen few, and finally loving all including the Herdmans who do their best to make you not love them at all and finally coming to the conclusion that all is in God’s hands and He will find a way to get His message across often to the chagrin and astonishment of the powers that be. If we are to involve the future generations in even knowing what a creche or nativity scene is and represents and want to keep this tradition alive, we must involve them very early and the pageant is one of the best ways to do that. In conclusion, yes, it is available to perform from Samuel French and Co for a reasonable rate or royalty and requires a cast of around twenty both boys and girls. One only wishes and hopes that a new generation of Herdmans don’t show up to audition and if they do, we will love them just as before. Creche Herald
Sharing the Joy of the Nativity With Children By Sister Pat Whalen
One of the joys of my thirty-five year teaching career has always been the pre-Christmas and Christmas season. For primary age children, it is a time of wonder and excitement, mystery and surprises. In the usual four weeks of Advent in which we prepare for the celebration of the birth of Jesus, there are so many ways to keep children focused on that true meaning of Christmas which often is overshadowed by the secular celebration of the arrival of Santa Claus. It is a unique time for families and classes to develop the Christmas Story a little each day. Beginning with setting up an Advent wreath with 3 purple and 1 rose candle (and this can be as simple as using a paper plate and construction paper candles to an evergreen wreath with wax candles), we have the opportunity to pray and discuss what we will do to get ready to celebrate the birthday of Jesus at Christmas. Using a Jesse Tree which can be displayed on a bulletin board or one using a real tree branch or using a real evergreen tree is a good place to start. Beginning with Adam and Eve (and depending on the number of days in Advent) taking biblical figures such as Noah, Moses, David, Ruth, John the Baptist and so on who make up the historical background of Jesus can add curiosity and teachable moments for children as each figure or a symbol of that figure is placed on the Jesse Tree from the base until they reach the top with the Holy Family at Bethlehem. Not to leave out Santa Claus completely, we have the celebration of St. Nicholas Day on December 6th. St. Nicholas believed to be the original Santa Claus and giver of gifts is another teachable moment uniting Santa Claus with the Christ Child. Children love the idea of putting out their shoes the evening of December 5th in hopes that St. Nick will fill them with small treats as a hint that they are “being good.”
Winter 2016/2017
Some families will “adopt” another family who is in need and with the children will make things, share their toys, bake cookies, shop for small gifts, etc. for them. Many churches at this time have “giving trees” with tags that can be taken by families to help others. Little children love being a part of the process of deciding what to do or help in picking out the items decided upon. Meanwhile, both at home and in school there can be an empty stable with an empty manger. As a child does a good deed during this preparation time, he/she places a piece of straw (sometimes thinly cut yellow paper) in the manger hoping to have it filled by Christmas Eve and ready for the newborn king. About midway in the Advent Season, the figures for the stable can be added one at a time with a brief explanation of who they are. Children never tire of hearing the Gospel story of Christmas. There are also many other books for children about getting ready for Jesus. Making paper ornaments such as stars or gifts that the Wise Men brought on that First Christmas build excitement as Christmas grows closer. Singing Christmas Carols add to the festivity. During this time of the year children’s spontaneous prayers are precious! As children become aware of the various ways the nativity scene is displayed around the world through art, displays, film, etc. they come to appreciate that the world is bigger than their own small community and that Jesus Christ did indeed come for ALL people. As their excitement builds closer to Christmas Day, it is a good time to prepare their gifts for Jesus’ birthday celebration. Some make cards or gather their Advent “good deeds” and take them to their local church to present to the Christ Child at the manger there. The “Kneeling Santa” with his gifts is also a silent lesson.
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Two small world classics: Precious Mom
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The best nativity set ever: the grandchildrens’ pageant. Pic. Courtesy o
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Albert’s kids, backyard pageant. Pretty as a picture: a modern pageant Pageant face masks: easy, inexpensive and fun. Ashton Drake dolls: more for lookixng and learning than playing. Hand puppets: simple way to bring the Christmas story to life.
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Kinder candy maker: creche piece hidden in chocolates. Nesting dolls from Russia: originally toys, now art. Nativity floor puzzle: great for the rug rats. Kids nativity play set of wood from Germany.
ıttle Chıldren, One and All, to the Crıb lehem’s Stall.”
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ments and A Charlie Brown Christmas.
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of Holly Zenger
10 Puzzle made in Sri Lanka. 11 Small world nativity. 12 DeGrazia nativity. 13 Playmobil for kids done in adult style.
The Art of Telling t By
It has murder, violence, adultery, prostitution, treachery, betrayal, poverty, starvation....What is it? Is it the next television reality show? No! It’s the Bible! Now, I understand that the above Biblical stories may or may not give you a yearning to read the Bible, but...It also has love, compassion, sacrifice, forgiveness, prayers, celebration, and acceptance. And I know of no better way to learn and appreciate the stories of the Bible than through Biblical Storytelling—an internalization (NOT memorization) of Biblical text so that the stories become a part of the teller. In this way, the hearer will smell the dust on the road to Jerusalem, recognize the look in Cain’s eyes as he lifts his hand to murder his brother, or feel the heartbreak of the mothers in Bethlehem whose sons “two years of age and under” were slaughtered at the command of Herod. So how do we learn to tell the scriptural text? Let’s suppose that we want to tell “The Birth Story” from the second chapter of Luke. First, the text needs to be put in such an order and organization that it is easier to read and easier to see relationships and patterns. For example, here are a few verses from the birth story put into a more learnable order: And while they were there, the time came for her to be delivered. And she gave birth to her first-born son. And wrapped him in swaddling clothes. And laid him in a manger. Once the entire text is organized, look for patterns and list them: (1) Gave birth to her first-born son; (2) Wrapped him in swaddling clothes; (3) Laid Him in a manger. Mary performed three actions. Can you see her? What is her facial expression? Look for links while you are learning the words.
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Consider: The back story—put your text in context. The culture of that day as it pertains to your text. Beliefs, feelings, characteristics of the people involved using research from various sources. Each individual by mulling, meditating, considering each individual and what you have learned about him/her. (I do a lot of my mulling while I am driving, but beware—I closed my eyes once going 60 mph when Jesus was praying!) Each character without prejudice but consider why he/she acts and thinks and feels as he/she does. Using facial expressions, posture, tone of voice, etc. in order to portray the characters.
The Back Story: Of course, the ultimate back story is the Messianic prophecy of the Old Testament, from God’s promise to Abraham that the whole world would be blessed through him to the prophecy in Micah that the Messiah will be preceded by a messenger who will come in the power of Elijah. The Jewish people clung to these prophecies through the Exile under the Babylonians, through rule by the Persians, then the Greeks, a very brief period of independence, and, finally, conquest by Rome. But God is faithful, and through Mary and Joseph, the prophecies came to fulfillment. And then there are questions in the text itself which will help with a fuller understanding of the times and text. For example, who was Caesar Augustus, and what was this “enrollment” that he called for? Caesar Augustus was, of course, emperor of Rome and, therefore, ruler of Israel, as Israel was under Roman rule at this time. There isn’t agreement among biblical scholars that the “enrollment,” or “registration,” was for the purpose of taxation. A census was often
Creche Herald
the Christmas Story Gail Losch
taken for the purpose of taxation, but often it was just a census. There has been some speculation that the enrollment was for the purpose of having the population swear allegiance to Rome. But whatever the reason, it served the purpose of getting Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem in fulfillment of the prophecy from Micah that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. “The whole world” at the time of Jesus’ birth was used to refer to the Roman Empire, arrogant indeed. “It was the first enrollment when Quirinius was governor of Syria.” This is a time marker.
Culture of the Day Pertaining to this Story: Betrothal—A betrothal is not the same as today’s engagement. It was a much more serious relationship, sealed with a contract and broken only by divorce. Out-of-wedlock Pregnancy—A woman who conceived outside marriage would be stoned under the Law. Why was Mary not stoned? Does the first chapter of Matthew give us a hint? Status of the Shepherds—Since shepherds spent much of their time out caring for the sheep, they could not keep all of the Mosaic Laws as devised by the Pharisees, for example, the many ritualistic washing of hands. Therefore, they were considered unclean.
Results of Mulling: The “enrollment”—Under the back story are several questions about what exactly the enrollment was and the reason for it. Although this is not, perhaps, an important feature of the story, it sets the birth in a time and place and tells us that Israel were not in control of their own government. “Peace, good will to all”—Jesus came in peace, not to destroy or bring war. What are other possible reasons for this greeting? Reactions to the shepherds’ news—There were three responses: And all who heard it wondered at that the shepherds had told them—What astounding news! Some believed; some didn’t, just as it is today. And Mary kept these things and pondered them in her heart—Mary knew how the child had been conceived, and she thought about that and the fact that the birth had been announced to these shepherds and what else might she have thought? And the shepherds returned rejoicing at everything they had heard as it had been told them—The shepherds partied! They had no doubts; they were just filled with joy. The above are just a few mullings on certain verses, but one thought can lead to another until you find yourself deep in the scripture. After you have thought about “things,” then you can mull, or consider, each character—what might they have looked like? What was their character? How might they have acted in certain situations? Get to know them so that you can tell their words and actions from what you have studied. THIS IS JUST A SMALL SAMPLE of internalizing the story, telling the text as if it were a first-person account of the event. YOU WERE THERE! SO, GO TELL! For further information on biblical storytelling go to www.nbsint.org. The Network is a nondenominational group with headquarters at The Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, IN.
Winter 2016/2017
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DEAR FRIENDS,
The seasons have changed and brought us to the time we all cherish, Christmas. We are blessed to live where we do. The fall issue of the Creche Herald was about blessings and bounty. The cover showed a Della Robbia plate from Florence. I was just in that lovely city this September on my way to attend the international World Crib Congress of Un Foe Prae in Bergamo, Italy. Besides meeting people from many countries at the world congress, I was able to gain insight as to how the nativity is honored in Italy. More than just a collection of figures depicting Christ’s birth, the Italian presepio (nativity) retells the Bible story from the Annunciation through the Flight into Egypt and even beyond through Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. Each tableau focuses on one part of the story. And the Italian experience in mounting their presepi each year is creating the hillsides, the buildings, and the setting for the Holy Family and others figures that help to tell the story – somewhat like the gothic cathedrals with the story of Christ’s life and the saints carved in stone or painted on walls. The joy the Italian presepio makers have is sharing those tableaus with others. In light of the devastating earthquakes in Italy this September and October, I remember some new friends I made in Bergamo from the Abruzzo region of Italy. Rosealba 10
was asked by her city to create a presepio using her town as it looked before a 1915 earthquake that had devastated the area. It was then on display in the city for all to enjoy and to remember - both the birth of the Christ Child and how the real life events in their immediate area affected their lives. And Ana Maria from Venice creates a presepio each year to help raise funds for handicapped youth and their families in her area. It is a group effort to create it, bringing in the children themselves to help mount the scene. Her group of friends work all year long to raise funds to pay for the creation of the presepio as well as to be able to provide food for the children’s families during the Christmas season. The beauty of both these tableaus and others in Italy, was in the sharing of the nativity with others. Each of these women display a Holy Family in their home, but their main work with the nativity is out in the public. It calls to mind one of the speakers at the conference, Don Alberto. He asked if the birth of the Christ Child was the life stopping event that all focused on (as in many of our nativities), or did His birth occur amidst a world living its life around the Child, unaware that this momentous event even was taking place. Our nativities and how we display them usually tells one of these two stories. I offer these presepi in Italy as a reminder for each of us and our own nativity collections. It is a wonderful, loving tradition that we share with our families in our homes. But for those of us, who can, it is a wonderful gift to share our nativities with others – sharing the artistry of the pieces, the cultures from which they come and
the spiritual blessings this brings to us each year. Thank you to all who generously share your collection through exhibits in your homes or churches or other sites. Thank you to all who voted for the new board members for Friends of the Creche and to all who have so graciously volunteered to serve our organization on the board. Your 2016-17 board members are Rita Bocher of Pennsylvania, Judy Davis, Ellen Mintz and myself of California, Michele Devit and Fr. Johann Roten of Ohio, Marilyn Gillespie and Holly Zenger of Utah, Helen Holder of Minnesota, James Johnston and Judy Klein of Texas, Gail Losch of West Virginia, Barbara Olson and Susan Schumacher of Illinois, Susan Parker of Nevada, Bonnie Pfanenstiel of Kentucky, Alvin Strong of Vermont, Frank Walkingshaw of Ontario, Canada, and Mike Whalen of Michigan. Thanks also to our sub committees, Margo Dixon of Pennsylvania our 2017 Convention Chair and James Ridlen our 2016 Annual Meeting Co-Chair. We are now looking forward to our own Friends of the Creche convention from October 25-28, 2017 in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Where could be a more perfect place than to celebrate Christ’s birth in Bethlehem, right here in the USA? Watch for details. It’s going to be a great! Would you like to share your part of the country and your love of the nativity and consider hosting the 2019 Friends of the Creche Convention? Please contact me or any of the board for information about this. Blessings to all! Sydne Yanko-Jongbloed sjongbloed@maryjoseph.org Creche Herald
In the Christmas Kitchen with Granny Amstutz
Editor’s note If telling the nativity story is not good enough or acting it out seems overdone, or you have worked on one too many craft projects maybe you should consider “baking” it. There is no place most of us would rather be than in the kitchen during the Christmas season inhaling those wonderful buttery, cinnamon scents wafting through the air and no place children would rather be than with mom, grandma or even dad or grandpa or brothers and sisters whipping up some sugary delights. That said, why waste a perfectly good opportunity to tell the Christmas story and use all five senses to grasp the mystery of God become Man than with a batch of cookies or a gingerbread house stable.
Our friend in Ohio, Mike Amstutz sent us some wonderful examples of nativities in the kitchen that his parents had collected over the years and now on display in their house in Ohio completely given over to that nativity collection and it is amazing. Since Mike has not named his piece I did it for him, to wit, “In the Christmas kitchen with Granny Amstutz.” (MW) The roots of the collection are from the antique store mom and dad Amstutz had owned for 20 years after retiring as public school teachers. It was called, the Store House since it was like a one story house. Each room featured antiques typical of the room they occupied. The living room had lamps, chairs, vases and cabinets. The music room had music boxes, an Edison phonograph and even a melo-pean. The kitchen was our personal favorite for that is where mom kept her kitchen orientated creche sets. These sets continue to be the favorite of groups who tour the home which feature over seven hundred of her collection. Most Victorian sugar bowls came with spoons and here are some which hung from a Christmas sugar bowl from Germany, each inscribed with Frohe Weihnachten or Merry Christmas and done as a commemorative series from 1967-1978.
Learning using all five senses always is best and with the sense of taste and smell added to the visual and even the tactile task of cutting out cookies makes for a “jarful” of adventures. Got the grandkids today and one is too small to be around hot ovens and other kitchen utensils? No problem. Sit them on the floor with the refrigerator magnets (not small enough to swallow of course) and let them assemble the creche scene on the door setting free their artistic spirit. Who is to say the donkey has to be right side up anyway.
Cookie cutters are a highlight of the kitchen tour and most especially a set of eleven Land O’ Lakes nativity cutters issued in 1972 that came at a cost of six labels and a cut out coupon. These were used a lot during the Christmas season as a means to teach the Christmas story at Sunday school and reward those students who listened well. Winter 2016/2017
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or Germany can be used but of course these are not used for the real nut cracking. And clean up was handled by this wonderful multi colored towel featuring a creche scene.
No house in this German area of the country would be complete without the cookie molds made of wood or red clay, which allowed a stable scene to be imprinted in the dough. Thought delicate in appearance, these molds lasted for years. There can be no Christmas baking without nuts, so nutcrackers from Scandinavia
Now that the cookies are baked, they must be stored and where else than a nativity cookie jars of which she had over thirty. Who knows what a pie bird is? Well just in case, pie birds go back to the reign of George III in the eighteenth century. These figures standing three to five inches tall and made of highly glazed pottery have an arch at the bottom that allow steam to enter and exit at a hole at the top. This was a practical solution to stop fruit pies from bubbling over during the baking and cooling process. Mother had a wonderful example of a pie bird nativity made by Newport pottery and a real collector’s piece.