Beautiful nativity display impresses

Melissa Strle
Times Reporter

 

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints displayed approximately 250 nativity sets from all over the world on Nov. 23-25. The nativity display culminated with a sing-along carol festival on Nov. 25 in the church chapel.
The nativity sets were mainly provided by church members, but also by members of the community.
Bishop Cory Fisk of the church explained that one family had brought a big portion of the sets. The sets “came from Kenya to Peru to Egypt, Mexico, Israel; and as they travel the world, they [family] look for nativity sets.”
Other members of the church have purchased nativity sets in places ranging from Germany to El Salvador.
New this year, was a living room space where people could sit and relax.
“It’s kind of a peaceful place,” said Fisk.
The church has held this event for several years in a row.
“We didn’t do it last year, but we intend to each year,” said Fisk. “The idea is to kick off the season and feel that spirit of Christmas.”
The church experienced high traffic last week as several hundred school children from different classes visited the exhibit.
Fisk expected 300 to 400 people to view the displays over the past weekend.
In preparation for the event, he – along with many other volunteers – spent countless hours setting up the nativity sets and the room. They started preparing a week before, setting up tables and figuring out the lighting.
Each individual nativity set was specifically tagged, photographed and marked so that the church could keep track of all sets to prevent any from getting lost or misplaced.
“Every one of them has a catalog so that we take very good care of them,” said Fisk.
The biggest nativity was on display on one side of the room in the form of a giant-sized vinyl and plastic set that resembled stained glass panels. The smallest nativity display was inside a walnut shell.
The church provided a play room and colouring room where children could play with kid-friendly nativity sets.
On Nov. 25 alone, approximately 125 children came to the church to view the beautiful display. “We hand out invitations and little candy canes to all the children and then they have an opportunity to invite their families to come,” said Fisk.
Fisk said that for the first time this year, the church utilized online promotions.
“We’re trying to promote it online as much as we can and try to get people to talk about it and share their favourites,” said Fisk.