Come and Behold Him scheduled at St. Paul’s, Friday-Sunday, December 9-11, 2011

AROUND THE WORLD CHRISTMAS CRECHE EXHIBIT
ST. PAUL’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, DAPHNE

Please scroll down to read a letter from St. Paul’s Rector, and for links to forms

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Daphne will again host the Annual Come and Behold Crèche Exhibit at their Life Center the weekend of December 9-11, 2011. Just as the first visitors to the birth place of Jesus Christ, brought their own unique gifts, members of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and other community members will offer their time and talents in a myriad of ways: from offering crèche displays, organization and design, hosting, music, graphic design, data management, publicity and construction of these awe inspiring crèche displays. Last year there were around 150 displays and in a variety of mediums, representing religions and traditions from countries all over the world.

St. Francis of Assisi is credited with popularizing the crèche tradition. It is said that when he was traveling to the Italian village Grecio, he caught sight of the shepherds in moonlit fields, and it evoked images of the first Christmas. Inspired by the midnight scene, he beckoned villagers that Christmas Eve to light the sky with their torches, bring their animals, and re-enact the Nativity.

Beginning in the 17th century, families in Naples welcomed friends and neighbors into their homes each December to share beloved crèches they had made and collected. During succeeding centuries, the tradition spread from Italy to France and Germany, and then from Europe to other continents.

Each crèche at the Come and Behold Exhibit reflects a different time periods, cultures as well as travel, family traditions and artistic skills of their owners. Whether scenes of 19th century Italian villagers dressed in silks and jewels or contemporary African animal herders formed in clay; all of these crèche variations and more will be featured at the Come and Behold Exhibit.

There are crèches made from materials such as glass, clay, silver, porcelain, wood, hay and paper among many other mediums that are featured. A printed program will be offered that identifies each crèche and tells its history. There will also be a raffle for a Madonna and Child painting, and items for auction.

Echoing this tradition, St. Paul’s, Daphne invites everyone in the community to celebrate this Christmas tradition. It is this spirit that prompted the inaugural Come and Behold Crèche Exhibit in December of 2009.

During last year’s event, St. Paul’s hosted over 700 visitors. Also, this year, there will be special tours offered by many schools in Baldwin County. This year’s exhibit will be held on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, December 9, 10 and 11 from 9 am to 4 pm.

There is no charge for admission, and there will be free nursery care and nativity crafts for children.  St. Paul’s is located at 28788 North Main Street, Daphne, Al.

Letter from the Rector

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

On behalf of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Daphne, Alabama, I would like to welcome you and your congregation to our second “Come and Behold Him” Christmas crèche event and open house.   The event will occur on Friday, December 9th, Saturday, December 10 and Sunday December 11, from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. There will be over one hundred unique Nativity Scenes from around the community on display for your enjoyment. The admission is free. The attached file is a brochure advertising the event.  Please post it to your congregation.

The tradition of the Christmas Crèche is attributed to St. Francis of Assisi. In the year 1223, St. Francis, a deacon, was visiting the town of Greccio, Italy to celebrate Christmas. Greccio was a small town built on a mountainside overlooking a beautiful valley. The people had cultivated the fertile area with vineyards. St. Francis realized that the chapel of the Franciscan hermitage would be too small to hold the congregation for Midnight Mass. So he found a niche in the rock near the town square and set up the altar. However, St. Francis wanted this Midnight Mass to be very special, unlike any other Midnight Mass. He wanted the people to remember that Jesus was born in a humble stable. He therefore asked a farmer friend to bring an ox, a donkey, a manger and some straw to the niche in the rock. On Christmas Eve, St. Francis and the people of Greccio met in this cave. By candlelight, they acted out the story of Jesus’ birth.

We hope your time with us will be special and we look forward to having you and your congregation here to see these wonderful crèches.  May they help put you in the spirit of Christmas and in some way prepare you for the coming of Emmanuel, God with us.
God’s blessings to you and your families. Merry Christmas.

Peace,

The Rev. Thack H. Dyson, Rector

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