Each one is unique in its own way, but they all tell the same amazing story.
Some are life size, while others can fit in the palm of one’s hand.
This past weekend, Green River residents were invited to see various interpretations of nativity scenes at the Immaculate Conception Church. More than 100 nativity scenes from about 620 families of the church were displayed on lines of tables. In front of each scene was a white notecard explaining whose nativity scene it was and why it was special to them.
The idea to display nativities came from church visitor and Immaculate Conception church member Dick Fischer’s sister, Judy Cheselka.Fischer, who sits on one of the church’s boards, was talking to his sister about possible events the church could have.
Cheselka, who is from Ohio, said her church asks its members to display nativity scenes every few years. Cheselka said not only is it a really big event for her church, but one they all seem to enjoy.
Fischer said their church hadn’t hosted an event like this one before, but he would ask the board what it thought about it. Soon everyone at the Green River church was on board and excited about displaying their favorite nativity scenes.
Cheselka helped out with setting up the scenes and genuinely enjoyed each and every story behind the scenes. Most of the members had more than one scene, some decided to share just one, while others shared three or more. A couple of members from the church had more than 40 nativity scenes they had collected throughout the years. Most of those were small.
Not only did the scenes range in sizes, but they came from from various parts of the United States and different countries including, Haiti, Mexico, Germany, Jerusalem, Italy and Costa Rica.
“I’m amazed because of the size of Green River and the size of the parish,” Cheselka said. “There’s just an incredible amount. There’s something wonderful about every, single one.”
Cheselka said each nativity is special to the family who owns it. Whether is it special because of where they bought it or because of who gave it to them. What was really surprising to Cheselka and Fischer was the fact that not a single one of the entries was a repeat.
Cheselka said as the calls were coming in about what kind of a nativity scene it was she thought they would have a few repeats, but she was surprised when none of them were.
She said she had a few members tell her they had an AVON nativity scene, but not a single one of those was the same either.
One nativity scene was made as an outdoor scene and had life-sized wooden figures, while the smallest scene was made in a tiny shell, which one could hold between two fingers. Others were unique because of the materials used to make them, such as coconuts, gourds or Legos.
Fischer was not only happy with the response he received with those willing to share their nativity scenes, but with the amount of people to came to look at them. He couldn’t have asked for a more successful event.
“I was tying to get life back into the parish,” he said.
He felt this event helped do just that. Members of the church came together to reminisce about their own nativity scenes and find out interesting back stories on others.
Church member Kathleen Bode said she was surprised at the quality of the nativity scenes and how most of them had survived for several years with young children in the homes. She said those with young children or grandchildren know how easy it would be for some of these to get destroyed, but they were beautiful and still intact.
“I am almost overwhelmed,” Bode said. “It’s more than I expected.”
She couldn’t believe how many were just from one small, community church.
Fischer believed the event was a huge success and is hoping the church will continue to have an event like this in the future.
“I think it is just really great,” Fischer said. “I never thought we’d get that many in.”
One aspect Fischer noticed about those who brought their nativity scenes to share is how they seemed to have a special connection with it.
“Every one is a favorite to whoever it belongs to,” he said.
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