Church presents large Nativity scene

LANCASTER - John Coen said he has seen the First United Methodist Church memorial Nativity scene at the Crossroads Center bring people to tears.

"It's a very impressive Nativity scene," he said. "It's hard to imagine finding a more impressive display."

Coen is the church's director of creative outreach ministry, and he said it takes about 20 hours for church volunteers to put up the near-life size Fontanini Nativity that boasts more than 25 pieces. Construction started the weekend before Thanksgiving.

"We started this in 2001 with baby Jesus," Coen said. "It's called a memorial Nativity because all the pieces are dedicated by church members for loved ones."

The church added the Virgin Mary for the second year, and that is when the scene started drawing attention. Joseph and two sheep came the third year, along with the scenery, and the Nativity scene kept getting larger. Coen said a Fontanini Nativity is popular among collectors, with figures ranging from a few inches to life size. The figures at Crossroads are 3/4 scale. He said Fontanini Nativity displays originated in Naples, Italy.

Coen said church members looked at smaller Fontanini displays and tried to replicate them when building the large one.

The walk-in display is laid out throughout Crossroads Center. Coen said it simulates walking through Bethlehem to the temple.

"We have sounds and smells to go with it," he said. "You can smell bread when you walk by the bakery, you can smell the campfire and you can smell frankincense when going by the wise men's tent."

Coen also said with Fontanini displays, the manger holding Jesus is not in a stable, but in temple ruins.

"That symbolizes that the old way is gone and a new way of life has started," he said.

Such displays also feature a palm tree to symbolize fertility, which the local display also has.

The church opened the Nativity for the season on Sunday. It is open from 6 to 9 p.m. Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays for the public throughout the month.

jbarron@lancastereaglegazette.com

740-681-4340

Twitter: @JeffDBarron