The Exhibit
As the longest-running annual community-led nativity exhibit, the 34th annual Christmas Crèche Exhibit is pleased to offer this year a simple virtual experience: 25 days of Christmas love and light with nativities from around the world, holiday concerts, children’s activities, stories by community members, and artists in action.
Though our physical doors of the Exhibit are closed due to COVID, our digital doors and hearts are wide open. Join in an all-virtual Christmas celebration.
Merry Christmas!
2021: Another year full of challenges, conflict, and catastrophes. During these unprecedented times, how can we feel the love and light of Christ?
For the second time in 34 years, COVID closed the doors of our annual Christmas Creche Exhibit. But the pandemic has not stopped our 25 days of celebration of the birth and light of Jesus Christ.
He is, as immortalized in the words of the beloved Christmas carol “Silent Night," “Love’s Pure Light.”
To witness about His love and light, we’ve shared photos, videos and online experiences with nativities from around the world, artists at work, holiday music, children’s storytimes, and personal creche stories from community members. We hope these gifts from many hearts have added to your Christmas this season.
Looking ahead to 2022, through Him, we can find love and light. With courage and compassion, let us find ways each day to live as He lived. “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” John 8:12
Spread Love’s Pure Light.
P.S. If you would like to view highlight videos from this year's Exhibit, see and subscribe to our new Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnKiwaAjhSATir4lJrgNWWQ
If you have a nativity you would be willing to loan for a future Exhibit, please submit a photo and description here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc-DCCJD1i3tjQ1kySCq0RnVm7AxWb-TulRc5q1U9D1NSMdYQ/viewform
Facebook: ChristmasCrechePaloAlto Instagram: @christmascreche
Christmascreche.org #christmascreche
Hallelujah! As we celebrate the birth of our Savior on this Christmas day, we invite you to enjoy this rendition of "Hallelujah" sung by Camille Jacobsen, a native of Palo Alto, California, along with other missionaries serving in the Washington Yakima mission. Blessings to you this Christmas season!
This video was possible through the efforts of:
Ben Cryer at Skipping Stone Studio LLC
Brad Petit at Easy Street Studios
Monet Montierth, Camille Jacobsen, Nicolas Anderson, Albert Kim
#lighttheworld #christmascreche
How do you experience religious art?
Observing religious art can “constitute a moment of both spiritual and intellectual growth.” Hear Jorge Cocco, an Argentinian painter and sculptor, share some of his thoughts on his intentions and experiences of creating religious art.
As you have observed depictions of the Savior's birth this month, we hope His messages of love have touched your heart. We know He lives and loves you.
Jorge Cocco, a native of Argentina, creates beautiful artwork in a new artistic style he created and calls “sacrocubism”. It portrays sacred and religious events in a style of painting that features elements from the post-cubist art movement. Included here are three examples of his work carrying the sacred message of the Savior’s birth.
Join us at 4 pm PST to hear Jorge Cocco discuss his thoughts and intentions in creating religious art!
@sacrocubism
#christmascreche #lighttheworld
Son of God, Jesus Lord at Thy Birth
Born in Argentina, Jorge Cocco sculpted a ceramic nativity with gold embellishments to depict the birth of Jesus Christ. Now 85 years old, Cocco said, “When I finish a piece of work, I give tribute to God for this gift that I’ve received, because it’s not mine. It was given to me to do this.” Look for more art and an interview with Jorge Cocco, join us, right here, tomorrow.
#christmascreche #lighttheworld
Our final storytime features New York Times best-selling children’s book author Joanna Ho. The mother of two energetic young kids, Joanna is a writer and educator who serves as a high school vice-principal. Come hear her share some unforgettable children’s Christmas stories.
For unto us is born this day a Savior….
How do two different artists reflect on the Savior’s birth through nativities made from lustrous silver metal? See a contemporary interpretation by a New Mexico artist using an eight-metal alloy. Look at the intricate details on a creche made from silver by an artist in Cambodia.
#christmascreche #lighttheworld
Depictions of Madonna and the Christ Child have been created by artists throughout the ages.
1. This image of Mary and Baby Jesus by sculptor Leroy Transfield is a clay sketch. “When a piece is left a little rough or unfinished, it opens it to the viewer to interpret the rest.”
2. This intricately carved Madonna and Christ Child by Pema is brilliantly painted with gold highlights to give it an old world feel.
Both images capture the deep love of a mother for her baby.
#christmascreche #lighttheworld
Wood worker and lay minister Blake Hansen wanted to make a special gift to bring the love of Christ into the home of each person in his congregation. Come see how he conceived and cut out more than 100 kits and how each family personalized the wood nativity in their unique way. #christmascreche #lighttheworld
Music attribution:
"Angels We Have Heard,” by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Source: https://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?collection=004&page=1
Artist: http://incompetech.com/
Hallelujah! A nativity artist from Masaya, Nicaragua painted cedar wood with vibrant floral patterns, reflecting the tropical blooms of his hometown and the joyful news of Christ’s birth. #christmascreche #lighttheworld
Good tidings of great joy!
Three kings bring their gifts to the Christ Child in this brightly painted, joyful carving from Guatemala. #christmascreche #lighttheworld
The Gunn High School Choirs have shared their beautiful Christmas music with our Creche Exhibit audiences for many years. These wonderful voices bring light and joy with the Christmas music they sing. Thank you to William Liberatore and Angelina Fitzhugh for directing these rousing voices in celebrating the season. Enjoy this concert of inspirational Christmas music! #christmascreche #lighttheworld
Spread Love and Light
2021: A year full of challenges, conflict, and catastrophes. Two thousand years ago, people found love and light through Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
In the words of the beloved Christmas Carol “Silent night, holy night, Son of God, love’s pure light.” Today we can feel the power and peace of His love and help light the world.
A Season for Light
Since a new star first appeared above Bethlehem, Christmas has been a season of light, reminding us that Jesus Christ is the light of the world. Together, we can celebrate His birth by making the world a brighter place. All we have to do is follow Him—His life, His example, and His teachings. In doing so, we can help #LIGHTtheWORLD.