INKLINGS 12/3/09 | Columnists | Summerville Journal Scene

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INKLINGS 12/3/09

Published Thursday, December 03, 2009 12:45 PM

By Barbara Lynch Hill
Summerville Journal Scene ®

It never occurred to me that I’d smile out loud at a crèche. But I did. It was both delightful and revealing. Crib scenes are typically traditional, religious, sometimes solemn, most always moving. Not so much amusing. Or so I thought.

But this one! Mary was tickling Baby Jesus and he was giggling heartily. Joseph looked happy and satisfied. The Three Kings smiled and clapped. One shepherd had his arms thrown open to the heavens, his eyes scanning the stars and a look of great glee on his face. Another bounced on a camel and grinned from ear to ear. Even the stable animals beamed. You couldn’t look at this scene without smiling yourself.

I was at the 2009 Mepkin Abbey Crèche Festival in Moncks Corner last weekend and this was my favorite of the 44 exhibits. It wasn’t the best art. It wasn’t highly colorful, as it was molded in a creamy clay. But it depicted in body language what all Christians proclaim in their faith – utter joy at the Birth of Christ.

Other displays included a magnificent hammered copper stable scene, a holiday peace tree decorated with 1,000 folded Japanese origami paper cranes, one crèche of Coke cans, an Italian set of carved and painted wood that glowed like porcelain and 26 Joseph Figures, including a stunning rendition done as a massive, red-robed African chieftain. Two crèches from the Philippines included one done with rolled up newspapers and another made of reed and straw.

There were several from Poland, executed in carved and stained wood with bright colors and large-eyed figures. Peruvian, Mexican and Spanish contributions were also deeply hued. Crèches came from Armenia, Germany, Africa, Nigeria, France, Argentina, Ireland and Ethiopia as well. One of the most elegantly beautiful was done in ivory porcelain and silver. Some of these crèches are part of Mepkin’s collection; most were loaned for exhibition.

According to the Abbey’s Fr. Guerric, this is the seventh year of the festival. When it began, 1,500 people attended. By last year it had grown to 4,000. The festival is over now, but is held annually, beginning in late November.

Fr. Guerric told me when he became manager of the Abbey store he said, “If there is anyplace where people ought to be able to find a decent Nativity set, it’s the monastery store. So,” he shared, “I got a bit carried away and ordered $5,000 worth of crèches!” The store board suggested having a display, for view and sale. The monastery had about 10 sets on site and an antiques store in Boston lent them about 20 more. The word got out and it grew from there.

“We think it’s very appropriate for a monastery to provide a little reflection time during this season,” said the priest. “The difference between a set and a collection is that in a collection everyone can see their own face in culture and folk art. One exciting thing is that people can appreciate that the poorest of countries can be rich in creativity.”

I plan to initiate a new personal tradition and attend this festival of that First Christmas every year. I can’t imagine a better or more inspirational way to start any Christmastide. Or a better way to make merry.

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