Nativity display brings together collections

Local collectors of Nativity scenes, or creches will share their prized possessions with the community at an exhibition sponsored by the Church of Jesus-Christ of Latter-day Saints on Dec. 14 from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m., at the Palmer LDS Chapel located on West Arctic Avenue.

For more than two millennia, the mission and love of Jesus Christ has touched people from all walks of life. As tribute, many contributors from throughout the Valley and Anchorage areas, representing many faiths, loan their treasured Nativities for this display. Each Nativity offers a unique representation, reflecting the culture and perspective of artists around the world.

Live music will be performed during the afternoon by local school, community and church groups. A special children's exhibit will feature a live Nativity scene performed by local families. In yet another room, a video portrayal of Jesus' birth will be presented every 10 minutes.

Nativities will be arranged by theme, including "The Royal Birth," "Wise Men Still Seek Him" and "His Name shall be called Wonderful…The Prince of Peace."

A new addition this year will be a "Country" room featuring wooden and hand-carved Nativities. Ethnic, as well as handmade, miniature, traditional and contemporary creches will be grouped together. The entire display will be enhanced with richly colored backdrops, trees glowing with Christmas lights, quilts and other Nativity-themed wall hangings, wreaths, and colorful lighting.

Admission is free and there will be plenty of parking. Handicapped access is located on the west side of the chapel. Because of the tremendous sentimental, as well as often priceless, intrinsic value of many of the collections, security of the Nativities will be closely monitored throughout the duration of the event.

For more information about the event, or to participate by sharing Nativity scenes, people may call Nancy at 745-7388. Registration of Nativities and set-up of displays will take place at the Palmer Chapel on Dec. 13 from 4-8 p.m.

Ethnicities represented in past Nativity exhibits:

Angola, Argentina, Austria, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Bavaria, Belgium, Bolivia, Bosnia, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, England, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Laos, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, People's Republic of China, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Rwanda, Russia, Scotland, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine, United States of America - including several Alaskan Eskimo and Native groups, as well as American Indian collections, Uruguay, Venezuela, Wales.

Materials used in creches in past exhibits:

Abalone, alabaster, bamboo, banana bark, beads, brass, bread dough, bronze, camphor wood, canvas, ceramic, china, chocolate, clay, coconut shell, conga grass, copper, corn husk, crystal, driftwood, dung, ebony, embroidery, enamel, fabric, felt, fir, foil, fur, gingerbread, glass, gold, gourds, iron, ivory, lace, leather, linen, mahogany, marble, metal, mud, oak, oil paint, olive wood, ostrich egg, paper, paper mache, papyrus, pine, plastic, pewter, porcelain, resin, rice paper, rosewood, sandstone, seashells, seed pod, soapstone, stained glass, stone, tapestry, teak, terra cotta, tin, turquoise, velvet, volcanic ash, wax, wire, wool, wood, yak fur, yarn.