Page 21 - Journal of Antiques and Collectibles December 2019
P. 21
By Donald-Brian Johnson | Photos by Leslie Piña
“And it came to pass while they were there, the torch-bearing villagers arrived in throngs, to
days for her to be delivered were fulfilled. And she experience, in person, the wonder of the crèche.
bought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in The idea spread quickly, and soon the
swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because theatricality and excitement of the annual Nativity
there was no room for them in the inn.” dramas made them a much-anticipated annual
– Luke 2: 6, 7 social event for the entertainment-starved through-
n Germany, it’s called a Weihnachtskrippe. out medieval Europe. However, the large, boisterous
I Spaniards know it as a Naciamento. Italians say uncomfortable fit within the confines of somber
crowds and ensuing revelry eventually proved an
cathedrals. By the late sixteenth century, live
Presepio, and for the French, it’s a Crèche. Since
that starry night in Bethlehem two thousand years
“Nativity Journeys” became popular, with Joseph
ago, the celebration of Christmas has almost Nativity enactments had moved to town squares.
always included some scenic tribute to the and Mary in search of lodging, visiting homes in
Nativity. From simple representations of the three the village and being turned away. Their journey
principal figures—the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, finally wound up at a stable constructed in the
and Joseph—Nativity sets have grown to include town square. There, a Nativity tableau was created,
figurines of almost everyone even remotely with Magi and shepherds parading down the streets
connected to the Christmas story. to join in the celebration. Eventually, however,
In addition to the expected—angels, shepherds, even these live Nativity reenactments disappeared
the Three Kings, and a varied assortment of friendly from view.
beasts and villagers—many modern manger scenes The live Nativity tradition re-surfaced in the
also incorporate mythic secular characters. There mid-twentieth century, and today, many churches
are little drummer boys, homeless kittens, Elvis The “Living Nativity” on a grand scale: a tableau scene stage such seasonal tributes. Congregants, often
shepherds, and kneeling Santas. One of the most from the Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular.
lurid current depictions is an outdoor display. Santa, sleigh, and reindeer are
shown landing on the stable roof. Stopping by to pay their respects? Just
dropping in to fill the stockings? Bethlehem has indeed become crowded, as all
join in the celebration of Christ’s birth.
Live from the Earliest of Theaters: Churches
Early pilgrimages to the Holy Land served as inspiration for the Nativity
scene tradition, and artists began to offer their interpretations on canvas as
early as the fourth century. The Roman basilica of Holy Mary of the Nativity,
dedicated in the sixth century, featured the first three-dimensional figures of
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, fashioned of wood. The basilica also housed relics
reputed to be from the original Bethlehem manger.
It was, however, several centuries more before the concept of a figural 1 2
Nativity scene really took hold. In the meantime, there were the “living
Nativities” or “Nativity dramas” of the Middle Ages, staged in churches by
costumed performers as part of seasonal devotions. Known as Mysteres in
France, Geistliche Schauspiele in Germany, and Sacre Rappensentazioni in
Italy, the earliest and most famous of these was created by St. Francis of Assisi
in 1223.
St. Francis felt that, for
many of his congregation,
Christmas had lost its true
meaning. During a personal
visit to Christ’s birthplace,
Francis was inspired. A
“living Nativity” would, he
believed, bring his flock 4
3
closer to the spirit of
Christmas. Under his direc- 1. A Zulu interpretation of the Nativity, produced by the African group Kwa Zigi Gimi.
tion, the village of Greccio, Three pieces in fabric, beads, wood, and straw. The tallest figure, 3”, $50-$75.
near Assisi, was restyled as 2. This six-piece gilded porcelain arrangement from Ireland features a
Bethlehem, with local shep- 5” Christmas tree that is also a functioning bell. $400-$500.
herds (and their livestock) 3. A colorful Venezuelan plaque features all the familiar Nativity personages,
Nativity scene detail, St. Mary Magdalene’s starring as the main charac- plus visiting villagers. 12” h, $75-$125.
Catholic Church, Omaha, NE. ters. On Christmas Eve, 4. An exuberantly painted twelve-piece wood set from Sri Lanka.
The tallest figure, 4-1/2”, $25-35.
December 2019 19
“And it came to pass while they were there, the torch-bearing villagers arrived in throngs, to
days for her to be delivered were fulfilled. And she experience, in person, the wonder of the crèche.
bought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in The idea spread quickly, and soon the
swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because theatricality and excitement of the annual Nativity
there was no room for them in the inn.” dramas made them a much-anticipated annual
– Luke 2: 6, 7 social event for the entertainment-starved through-
n Germany, it’s called a Weihnachtskrippe. out medieval Europe. However, the large, boisterous
I Spaniards know it as a Naciamento. Italians say uncomfortable fit within the confines of somber
crowds and ensuing revelry eventually proved an
cathedrals. By the late sixteenth century, live
Presepio, and for the French, it’s a Crèche. Since
that starry night in Bethlehem two thousand years
“Nativity Journeys” became popular, with Joseph
ago, the celebration of Christmas has almost Nativity enactments had moved to town squares.
always included some scenic tribute to the and Mary in search of lodging, visiting homes in
Nativity. From simple representations of the three the village and being turned away. Their journey
principal figures—the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, finally wound up at a stable constructed in the
and Joseph—Nativity sets have grown to include town square. There, a Nativity tableau was created,
figurines of almost everyone even remotely with Magi and shepherds parading down the streets
connected to the Christmas story. to join in the celebration. Eventually, however,
In addition to the expected—angels, shepherds, even these live Nativity reenactments disappeared
the Three Kings, and a varied assortment of friendly from view.
beasts and villagers—many modern manger scenes The live Nativity tradition re-surfaced in the
also incorporate mythic secular characters. There mid-twentieth century, and today, many churches
are little drummer boys, homeless kittens, Elvis The “Living Nativity” on a grand scale: a tableau scene stage such seasonal tributes. Congregants, often
shepherds, and kneeling Santas. One of the most from the Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular.
lurid current depictions is an outdoor display. Santa, sleigh, and reindeer are
shown landing on the stable roof. Stopping by to pay their respects? Just
dropping in to fill the stockings? Bethlehem has indeed become crowded, as all
join in the celebration of Christ’s birth.
Live from the Earliest of Theaters: Churches
Early pilgrimages to the Holy Land served as inspiration for the Nativity
scene tradition, and artists began to offer their interpretations on canvas as
early as the fourth century. The Roman basilica of Holy Mary of the Nativity,
dedicated in the sixth century, featured the first three-dimensional figures of
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, fashioned of wood. The basilica also housed relics
reputed to be from the original Bethlehem manger.
It was, however, several centuries more before the concept of a figural 1 2
Nativity scene really took hold. In the meantime, there were the “living
Nativities” or “Nativity dramas” of the Middle Ages, staged in churches by
costumed performers as part of seasonal devotions. Known as Mysteres in
France, Geistliche Schauspiele in Germany, and Sacre Rappensentazioni in
Italy, the earliest and most famous of these was created by St. Francis of Assisi
in 1223.
St. Francis felt that, for
many of his congregation,
Christmas had lost its true
meaning. During a personal
visit to Christ’s birthplace,
Francis was inspired. A
“living Nativity” would, he
believed, bring his flock 4
3
closer to the spirit of
Christmas. Under his direc- 1. A Zulu interpretation of the Nativity, produced by the African group Kwa Zigi Gimi.
tion, the village of Greccio, Three pieces in fabric, beads, wood, and straw. The tallest figure, 3”, $50-$75.
near Assisi, was restyled as 2. This six-piece gilded porcelain arrangement from Ireland features a
Bethlehem, with local shep- 5” Christmas tree that is also a functioning bell. $400-$500.
herds (and their livestock) 3. A colorful Venezuelan plaque features all the familiar Nativity personages,
Nativity scene detail, St. Mary Magdalene’s starring as the main charac- plus visiting villagers. 12” h, $75-$125.
Catholic Church, Omaha, NE. ters. On Christmas Eve, 4. An exuberantly painted twelve-piece wood set from Sri Lanka.
The tallest figure, 4-1/2”, $25-35.
December 2019 19
