In honor of the 800th anniversary of the creation of the first Nativity scene, the Parish of All Saints in Millville will be hosting a special “Follow the Star” display featuring more than 200 Nativity scenes during the weekend of Dec. 16-17.
Father Peter Idler, parish pastor, explained that the project has been three years in the making. “The Nativity is one of the truly iconic displays of our faith, beloved by Catholics, Christians and even other faiths, for its joy, hopefulness and serenity.”
“We began the process of collecting these Nativity scenes with the idea of a truly unique Advent display that would appeal to the community at large. Over the past three years, we’ve been collecting, sometimes salvaging, these Nativity scenes from estate sales, eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and, of course, donations from our many parishioners.”
Saint Francis of Assisi is credited with displaying the first Nativity in 1223 in Greccio, Italy. It is believed that he was inspired by his visits to the Holy Land in 1219 and 1220. Saint Francis’ first display was a live Nativity in a nearby cave. During the Christmas Mass that night, witnesses reported that a miracle took place when the Child Jesus appeared in the display.
Father Idler gave the Catholic Star Herald an early peak at the Nativity displays, which take up three rooms in the parish rectory and vary in size, materials, origin, quality and age –each one unique.
Even the Christ child ranges in size, from a painted Jesus in his manger larger than a football to a white ceramic Jesus relief smaller than a dime.
Father Idler said a special display of Nativities from areas of the world currently in crisis, including Ukraine and Israel, will also be included.
All of the Nativity scenes will be on display at the Millville Knights of Columbus Council 1778 hall at 411 Cedar St., Millville.
“The Knights of Columbus have been incredible in helping the parish pull off this event,” Father Idler said.
It is Father Idler’s hope that this parish display will continue to grow in future years, perhaps with food, song, revelry, and maybe even a live Nativity. Next year, the display will move to its future location in the parish center, which is currently being renovated within the former school. On the day that the Catholic Star Herald arrived for the Nativity display preview, a stained-glass Nativity window had just been installed in the soon-to-be finished Saint John Bosco Chapel.
Admission to the display is free, though a free-will offering is encouraged. Doors will be open from noon to 8 p.m.
Mike Walsh is the associate publisher of the Catholic Star Herald and diocesan director of communications.
If You Go
WHAT: “Follow The Star” 800th anniversary Nativity display
WHEN: Noon to 8 p.m., Dec. 16-17
WHERE: Parish of All Saints & Knights of Columbus Council 1778, 411 Cedar St., Millville
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