NEW HAVEN—The traditional exhibits of crèches and nativities, for years a popular favorite at the Knights of Columbus Museum in New Haven until the show had to be cancelled in 2020, is making a joyous return this year. This new, truly remarkable show is titled “The Nativity Story: Art of the Crèche.” The location is the same, but the museum is renamed the Blessed Michael McGivney Pilgrimage Center.
Crèches appear in all sizes— from one that will fit onto a saucer to one that fills an entire gallery. Crèches and nativity scenes come from around the world and from different centuries. There are traditional and non-traditional crèches, from folk art to fine art.
One of the revelations is that no matter the style or what the figures are wearing, the story of the Nativity is immediately recognizable. Some crèches contain only the Holy Family, while others have everything from a local band serenading the Child in the manger to native animals taking the place of the sheep, donkey and ox. One example from Kenya includes an elephant and a hippo kneeling before the manger and Holy Family.
From Portugal’s Azores not only does a band dressed in traditional costume welcome the baby Jesus with a song, but this time the donkey and ox are joined by a rooster. People and families who see the show will learn why this country traditionally includes a rooster in this multicolored Nativity.
Another wonderful surprise The Nativity Story: Art of the Creche is the various dress of the Holy Family and other figures such as the shepherds and local townsfolk. From Hungary, the colorful figures in shiny ceramics are dressed like Hungarian peasants. From a neighboring country, the Three Kings appear alone in one setting as very tall marionettes wearing traditional Czech Republic costumes.
From Africa, the Holy Family look like Maasi from Kenya/ Tanzania as they wear bright red native garments. In a pueblo in Arizona, the Holy Family and all others dress in Hopi Indian style. In Italy, the huge Neapolitan scene includes dozens of townspeople, all wearing authentic 17th century clothing styles. In a mosaic done in the Philippines, Mary wears a traditional garment of that country—in this one the Christ Child holds a small rosary.
It’s quickly apparent the crèches are descended or adapted from the European style and the figures are all clearly universal representations of the Holy Family. The reason is simple: European missionaries brought Christianity to many places in the world.
The wonders continue even in the way the crèches and figures are made of different materials, often native to the country. The crèche from the Azores adapts the locale’s typical handicraft, a small wicker basket, into the stable for the Nativity. A pair of crèches from Israel turn hollowed out trunks of an olivewood tree into the stable setting for the Nativity. Both are quite shiny, and one include not only the Holy Family but an angel, shepherd and sheep. All the simple figures are also carved of olivewood. One Holy Family from the Philippines stands out with its figures in iridescent native seashells and silvery wire outlines and accessories.
Of course, the amazement continues even if the crèches are somewhat familiar from different areas. Here are the likes of large porcelain figures populating an instantly recognizable older Hummel Nativity scene from Germany. Along the way, from Russia comes an extremely elaborate set of nesting dolls made of lindenwood, painted in great detail, and then lacquered for a very shiny appearance.
The 1930-1940s Polish crèche, called a szopka (shop – kah). The manger becomes enshrined in a splendid building modeled after real Gothic churches, cathedrals and castles with elaborate steeples and domes, such as Krakow’s St. Mary’s Basilica. The Nativity is on the second level, while on the ground level Polish folk dancers arrayed in traditional Polish costumes dance for joy.
This marvelous show flows beautifully through three large galleries set up in an exceptional way. They are divided in a way to give viewers the feeling they are moving through the pages of a beautiful Christmas book. Each section— with titles that include Mary Mother of God, St. Joseph, Angels, Shepherds, introduce and emphasize the new “chapter.” These “pages” decorated with simple Middle Ages illumination designs stretch from floor to ceiling.
Paintings related to the Nativity also have a place in this wonderful show. Some were done specifically for covers gracing December issues of the Knights of Columbus’ Columbia magazine. A watercolor titled “Silent Night” was so beautiful for the 1978 issue it reappeared in 1984. A distant stable in the center is brightly lit by the ray of a single star so that all eyes, even those of a single lamb in the woods, are drawn to the scene of the birth of the Christ Child.
A beautiful painting from 1972 captures the peace and serenity of the Nativity as Mary kneels lovingly next to the Infant Jesus in the manger as Joseph, one hand holding a lantern and the other on his heart, gazes with awe and reverence.
The huge 18th century-style Neapolitan crèche occupying an entire gallery can be viewed from four sides. Made in 2014 in Naples using authentic 18th century methods, it’s like a perfectly preserved example from antiquity. The scene is elaborate, the characters have detailed expressions, and a radiance highlights the Holy Family who is surrounded by angels and worshippers that include the Magi, while musicians serenade them. Down in the streets some are dancing, eating outdoors at an inn, ignoring the main spiritual meaning as they go about the daily business of selling and shopping at the outdoor fish, fruit and vegetable markets. It’s quite a scene.
There is so much to behold, The Nativity Story from page 11 admire, and learn from in this wondrous, reverent show drawn entirely from the Knights’ own extensive collection that it should not be missed. As Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI said, in part, when reflecting on crèches in 2012, “The crib is a school of life where we can learn the secret of true joy. This does not mean having many things, but in feeling loved by the Lord, in making oneself a gift for others and loving one another.”
(Free admission and onsite parking. Runs through February 6. Visit the Blessed Michael McGivney Pilgrimage Center website at: www.michaelmcgivneycenter.org when planning visit.)
By JOSEPH PRONECHEN
