Dec 6, 2010

340- Midway's Creche Festival

The Midway Creche Festival is a lovely Interfaith display of Nativities held the first weekend in December each year. This is my second time to attend, I went with DeLoris one year. When Gordon suggested that we go I was thrilled. It proved to be a wonderful start to the Christmas season and a wonderful faith-filled weekend.

I didn't get as many photos as I wanted, when I got to the main display room I was told that I couldn't take photos (sniff).  But of those photographed, this is probably my favorite. It reminds me of the Book of Mormon panel made by Vicki's dad. It is carved from a single piece of wood yet is 3-dimensional (how do they do that?).

340- log nativity

The creche festival is held at the beautifully designed Midway Stake Center which reflects the Swiss ancestry of this area (I love it when the Church designs its chapels to reflect the culture of the area).

340- midway stake center

At the entrance was this lovely ice sculpture nativity.

340- ice sculpture

There were hundreds, if not thousands, of nativities there. As a nativity collector I love the diversity of those displayed. This is a sweet little beaded angel from Mexico. The placard says that the tribe only makes two of these each year.

340- beaded angel

The minute I saw this one I knew it was from Peru. I love the distinct dress of native Peruvians.

340- peru

This one caught my attention because of the moose-camel (Spencer loves moose) but upon closer inspection I saw that there were also bears and wolves in attendance around the holy igloo.

340- alaska

There is a whole room devoted to this Fontinini nativity that has over 1000 pieces. It is amazing to see. The table on which it is displayed has to be 20+ feet long. The design has been meticulously carried out with little stone paths that lead between the different *residences*.  I can't even imagine the hours it took to set up this display.

340- fontinini

My favorite part was the choir of heavenly angels come to sing praises at the Savior's birth.

340- fontinini angels

Another medium that always speaks to my heart are the nativities that are carved of olive wood from the Holy Land. Two generous friends have given me small nativities from their trips to Israel. This one is from Jordan.

340- olive wood

Gordon commented that with all the mediums and interpretations for nativities all are done in love and praise of the little Christ child. Truly all things speak of His glory. I missed a photo of a all-natural nativity made from stones, branches, pine cones and bark.

As we were leaving on the opposite side of the building from the entrance we saw another example of all nature praising the Christ child. When I look at this naturally occurring ice sculpture I see Mary, great with child, and faithful Joseph leading the humble donkey.

340- nature's ice sculpture

It is my hope that this wonderful season will leave you with Peace... for truly He is Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

1 comment:

Shan said...

That Mary on that Peru one looks awful mad. And maybe a little bit like an old woman. I guess if I were an old woman I'd be mad about a new baby.