A collection of Christmas crèches

More than jolly old Santa Claus, glittering multi-colored strings of light or deep red poinsettias, the Christmas nativity scene or crèche best describes the joyous event that we are celebrating this season. What is commonly called the belen in the Philippines holds special significance for believers in Jesus Christ because the birth of the King of Kings in a manger can be taken as a symbol of humankind’s hope and deliverance. As many of us would recall from the Sunday school lessons of our childhood, the manger stands as a metaphor for the state of our hearts before we are saved — unclean, cold and dark. But by the grace of God and the utmost humility of Jesus Christ who chose to be born in such a pitiful shelter, even the worst of us who welcome Him into the meager mangers of our impure souls will be forgiven and be redeemed from sin

Certainly, the drama of the Son of God being born in such wretched conditions is gripping, and we are taught that we must treat all our fellowmen with equal kindness and respect. A popular Christian song sums it up and tells us to try and consistently perform good deeds. For, “Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers/ that, you do unto me.”  This exhortation is based on the scripture of Matthew (chapter 25, verses 40-45) that says: “And the King will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’ Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink; a stranger and you gave me no welcome, naked and you gave me no clothing, ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.’ Then they will answer and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs?’ He will answer them, ‘Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.”

Not surprisingly, the nativity scene has been interpreted throughout the world. And more often than not, the features and attire of the main characters Joseph, Mary and the Baby Jesus in the crèches take on the facial characteristics and clothing of the people where these were made. The handiwork is interesting because many of the nativity scenes are fashioned from unusual materials and show their craftsmen’s painstaking attention to details. 

Recently, we discovered a collection of belens that is quite extensive. Called ‘The Spirit of Bethlehem,” the entire exhibit is owned by Carmen Abaya-Carlos who started her collection in 1952, with a nativity scene bought from a Catholic trade store. The pieces added up throughout the years with items bought during travels all over the world augmented by gifts from friends. It is an interesting mix. Alongside valuable Lladro porcelain figures, there are hand-carved wooden sets, folk art from indigenous tribes, pewter and miniatures that could fit into a walnut shell. For those who are interested in crèches and crafts, this might be worth checking out during the holidays.

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“The Spirit of Bethlehem” exhibit can be viewed at the second level of the E-com Building of the Riverbanks Center, Marikina City. For more information, log on to www.riverbankscenter.com or call (02) 570-0701 local 332 or 334.