I collect certain things. Like sports cards, Chagall prints... eminently sensible collections. Someone else in this house, though, collects nativity scenes - Crèches. And who am I to judge another's obsession in light of my own? ;) So I thought: what better outing for a Sunday afternoon in December than a visit to a massive collection of them from all over the world? Besides, it was a benefit for the St. Joseph's homeless shelter that just got a remodel & upgrade by Catholic Charities. It was a great cause and aptly themed, I thought, since Mary & Joseph were homeless on the evening of the Nativity. Good call there, benefit organizers.
They had childrens' choirs performing,
and an outdoor live nativity scene (on the street downtown!)
(at least they could dress in layers...)
plus the place was pretty packed for a sunny Sunday.
But the highlight were the 100+ nativity sets from all over the world.
My goodness what a collection! A lot of them were from the personal collection of one woman, but they are still looking for contributors with some unique ones. And so next year, a few from this house might show up in the display. :) Some of them were amazingly beautiful,
others quite clever,
but none could be compared to the centerpiece of the exhibit:
Yes, sir, that's real butter. This is an ag state, after all. It fits.
Plus if they could do one of a cow for State Fair, why not one of the Holy Family for Advent? Got some national press for this, too. Made it all the way to CNN and the Chicago Tribune. Not without some mocking comments along the way, naturally. But those of us who live here... we understand the deeper connection between Advent and butter. I'll explain it to you sometime. When I find the words.
In the meantime, pictures will have to do.
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