12 day nativity

Friday, December 4, 2015

Nativity Exhibit & Other Nativity Displays


Every year our church congregation turns a large space, hundreds of tables and miles of fabric, lights and garland to display hundreds of nativities.  The nativities range from exotic sets from around the world to simple creations.  I love them all-- in fact so much that this event was the beginning of my nativity collection creation.  I had a handful before this event, but seeing the many different interpretations and testimonies expressed in each one has been such a blessing.  

Setting up is HARD, HARD WORK.  A labor of love.  But so worth it in the end.  Here are some pictures of what it looks like before



During:  (fixing the lights on a tree  - so frustrating when they go out after things are set up):


All the nativities are stacked on boxes.  It's like a tetris game trying to find the right box to fit the right space.  Sometimes things don't go well.  Set up is always more fun with a good friend.


And here is what it looks like when it's all done:





This event is held annually - the first weekend in December in Carrollton, TX.  You can see current info on the display here:



Here's another view taken from a local TV spot in 2010


and a time-lapse video of the display from set up to take down:



Amazing, and what a blessing to be a part of this every year.

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What Nativity events are available in your area?  I've been trying to figure out how to go see this one: