The Christmas nativity scene elicits many emotions
The nativity story has been passed down through generations, with many families finding ways to celebrate the birth of Christ through the retelling of the Christmas story.
What do you think of when you view a Christmas nativity scene?
The Christ Child in the manger, Mary and Joseph, the magi, and shepherds and angels gathering around the stable often means something different to each individual.
During the recent Nativity Walk at Presbyterian Church in Millersburg, dozens of nativities from around the world gave pause for people to experience whatever emotion the nativity elicits in them.
The many nativities inside the church ranged in size and color. None were the same, but each focused on Christ in the manger, and those who brought nativities in wrote about why that particular nativity was so special to them.
One small nativity was the first thing Chuck and Debbie Chase purchased together.
There was a copper nativity from Chile. Another one from Kenya was made from dried banana peels. Debbie Jewell’s special nativity came from the Holy Land and was made from olive wood, purchased a half-century ago on a trip to Bethlehem by her parents, who passed it along to her.
Others were cherished gifts from family and friends, some were hand-crafted, and yet others were purchased because of the meaning behind the nativity for a special occasion.
One of the most viewed nativities came from Randy and Debbie Ruhl, a traditional German Weihnacten Pyramid nativity that included candles that provided heat to turn a paddle on top of the merry-go-round scene.
Each nativity had its own personal meaning, and that is the wonderful thing about nativity scenes. They have the ability to evoke fond memories through the history of each piece and elicit a variety of emotions that come from the age-old story of the birth of the Savior born in a manger.
For those viewing the nativity scenes, and there were many of them to view, the sincerity, peacefulness and purpose behind the nativity was everywhere.
For many people the two themes of faith and family are central to the nativity.
“The story and faith and everything that accompanies the nativity story is very important to our family,” Treva Sprang said. “This is the holiday to celebrate our Christ, but it is also something that really brings love in our family together.”
Lori Priebe from Nashville said the nativity is special because it has had meaning to her for many years and tells the story of the birth of Christ.
She said witnessing so many nativity scenes was inspirational, especially because some of them came from all around the globe and depicted the scene in ways that allowed each of the nations to share a bit of their culture with the world.
“The nativity is the real meaning of Christmas, and it always brings the message of Christmas back amid all of the hustle and bustle of the season,” Priebe said.
Joe Edinger said while faith is central, there is much more to the nativity, and that has been something he and his wife Susan have worked hard to pass along to their children.
“It always reminds me of our kids and teaching them about the Christmas story,” Edinger said.
The Edinger nativity has seen many years in the family, and he said he remembers when he and his siblings were young and how they would play with the figures and act out the Christmas story.
“Every time I see it, it takes me back to my childhood and the way we played out the story over and over to ingrain it in us,” Edinger said. “It is a lot of joy in those memories, and I watched our kids do the same thing, although they’d sneak their superheroes and Barbie Dolls into the story from time to time.”
He also said they have a special nativity his mother gave to them before her passing, a willow tree scene he holds dear to his heart in her memory.
Millersburg Presbyterian Rev. Rami Almaqdasi hails from Iraq, and he said regardless of where the nativity is from, it always evokes a peace that comes from God.
Almaqdasi said it is an inner peace and a peace among a community that celebrates love, sharing and tolerance.
“This always reminds me that we all come from different places, different backgrounds, but we are one in faith and in Christ,” he said.
Almaqdasi owns the small bell nativity from the Holy Land, as well as one given to him by a friend from Syria that resides on the family’s porch.
To him and his family, both elicit the faith, hope and love of the nativity and the Christmas story.
“This time of the year especially, we turn to faith and to this incredible story of Christ,” Almaqdasi said. “Much like each of these nativities are personal to those who own them, each person’s faith is a personal story too, which is why the meaning behind the nativity means something unique to each person.”
Debbie Ruhl was instrumental in hosting the event.
“It’s the reason for the season, and it’s such a neat, personal experience that we can share together, that allows us to refocus our faith and put our faith and family in the forefront of the season,” Ruhl said.
Whatever emotion the nativity elicits, here’s hoping your Christmas season is filled with peace, joy and love.