An elegant manger scene from the 22nd annual Crèche show in Los Alamos. Photo by Bonnie J. Gordon/ladailypost.com
COMMUNITY News:
The 23rd Annual “Crèches from Around the World” exhibit is Dec. 2-3 at the Los Alamos chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 1967 18th St.
Admission is free and the exhibit is open to the public noon to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2 and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3.
On display will be more than 200 crèches from around the world, representing different cultures and nationalities. In the past the exhibit has included sets crafted from a variety of materials including newspapers, aluminum cans, wood and clay. The show will feature musical performances by local musicians as well as light refreshments.
Figures arranged to represent the birth of Jesus; a traditional crèche, nativity, crib, nacimiento or manger scene usually includes the Holy Family of Mary, Joseph and the Baby Jesus. Other additions may include: the Magi or Three Kings; shepherds and sheep; angels; and various animals.
Many cultures add other objects that represent their own culture that may not be in the Biblical accounts of the Savior’s birth. Saint Francis of Assisi is credited with creating the first living nativity in the 13th Century.
“We have community members from most of the churches in Los Alamos who share their nativities with us,” said Alice Mann, who started the exhibit in 1994 as a gift to the community by the local Relief Society, a women’s organization of LDS Church. “These scenes show how all countries represent the Savior’s birth.”
This year’s committee is chaired by Alice and Lawry Mann and Jerilynn Christiansen. Other committee members include Brenda Anderson, Angie Baker, Marion Pack, Carol Neal, Juli Miller, Ellen Spaulding, Lorene Beckstead, Marcia Boyack, Stephanie Jagielski and Erin Sintay.
Anyone in the community is invited to exhibit their nativity scenes in the show. Call Alice Mann at 505.662.4590 or Jerilynn Christiansen at 505.662.5073 for more information or to display your crèche at the show.
