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: