Feast of the Three Kings

Melchor
Originally uploaded by bleak!

We didn't just have a Santa Claus to bring us gifts when we were young, instead we have three, the Three Kings!

The feast of the Three Kings--"Tres Reyes" or "Tatlong Hari" in Tagalog--is traditionally observed on January 6 but after the changes of Vatican  II, it has become to be observed on the first Sunday after the New Year.

Back then, on the Eve of Epiphany, Saturday evening, we would have been busy picking, cleaning and polishing our shoes. A feat in itself as Saturday evenings in my household was Turbo Rangers and Time Quest night and ordinarily, nothing could prevent us from watching these shows.


The trick about which pair of shoes to leave for the Three Kings is to pick the one that is the biggest or longest. Why? So that the Magi would be forced to leave more candy and money.
We knew how to deal with these Wise Guys from afar and we wanted our rewards from being, well, trying to be good for a whole year.

The task of choosing and cleaning the shoes completed, we would then line our now pretty and trophy shoes in a neat line by the large main window in our "sala" and decorate them with the figures of the Three Kings snatched from the "Belen."

All of these done, we of course go back to watching our shows and then afterwards, reluctantly go to sleep as we wait with frenetic excitement for the next day with its promise of possible reward to arrive.

Wee lambs

Wee lambs
Originally uploaded by bleak!

a flock of clay sheep for sale in a "tianguis navideño."

Belen 2012

Belen 2012
Originally uploaded by bleak!

A woman making tortillas. A requisite figure in Mexican "nacimiento" tableaux.

Belen 2012

Belen 2012
Originally uploaded by bleak!

Handbuilt clay nativity figures from Mexico.

Mexican "nacimiento" tableaux are composed of multitudes of characters. Aside from the the usual suspects such as the Three Kings and shepherds, "nacimientos" often include figures performing daily tasks and routines. Figurines of fishermen, vendors, laundresses, cooks,  butchers, bakers and even hermits are usually included and depicted.

The inclusion of "average joes" in the nativity illustrates that amidst the hubbub of daily life, miracles still happen; hope and salvation can still be found amongst the commonplace.

The Devil in the Nativity

Belen 2012
Originally uploaded by bleak!

It is customary in Mexico to include the figurine of the devil in the nativity scene to illustrate that evil is everywhere. Figures of demons bearing emblems of the seven deadly sin are usually shown tempting the shepherds, the Three Kings  and the townspeople.
Though evil is indeed all around us, its inclusion in the creche also remind us all that good will eventually triumph.

Belen 2011

Belen 2011
Originally uploaded by bleak!

Belen 2012

Belen 2012
Originally uploaded by bleak!

figuras de barro.

Nino Dormido

Untitled
Originally uploaded by bleak!

A small, carved folk figure of the sleeping Christ Child from the Philippines.

Beuron Nativity

This Nativity set comes from the Beuron Art School in Germany and dates from the turn-of-century.
The Beuron Art School was started by a group of Benedictine monks and created religious artworks that were influenced by Egyptian, Classical and Byzantine art.

WWII Era American Nativity.

Here is an incredible, WWII era Nativity set by the Transogram Company.
This set is labeled with pride as "American Made."
Before the war broke out, most Nativity sets (and other seasonal decorations) were imported from Germany. With the involvement of the United States in the war against the Axis powers, products from Germany were banned and American citizens were encouraged to buy "American" to showcase their patriotism and support for their sons fighting abroad.

 This Nativity set is an imitation of earlier German Nativity figures. These figures however, are cast in plaster as opposed to their continental counterparts which are mostly made of composition paper-mache. Check it out at my ecrater store.

1940's German Nativity from S.S. Kresge

Here's a composition/paper-mache Nativity made in U.S. Zone Germany. Nativity set was created right after WWII in the late 40's and was sold in S.S. Kresge, a chain store company. S.S. Kresge was the parent company of K-mart stores today. An interesting Nativity set as it tells the story of postwar Germany. Check it out at my ecrater store.

Retro Nativity

Here's a colorful Nativity set from the 50's.

"Vintage Plastic "Unbreakable" 17 piece Nativity set from the 50's. One figure has its original price tag of 10c. Made in the U.S. Figures measures approximately 4 inches high."

1969 Sears Christmas, Nativities

1969 Sears Christmas, Nativities
Originally uploaded by mcudeque

Nice Catalog photos. It's great to see how they used to market Nativity sets.

Vintage Mod Nativity Set

Vintage Made in Italy plastic Nativity set.
I like this set. It is rendered in a stylized manner typical of mid-century aesthetics which I so dig. Just look at the stable with its asymmetrical steep roof. It houses the Holy Family in style. The look is so indicative of the era. Gotta love the playfulness of mod sensibilities.

It's Christmas in July once again!

It is hard to believe that half of the year has come and gone.
The month of July is here and for us Creche collectors out there, it is the time we start to think about what our Nativity display for this year would be like.

But before I start to brainstorm for ideas, I always find it inspiring to look back at how I set up the Nativity scene the year before.




These have to be my favorite Creche figures. They are antiques from the turn-of-the-century and are made in Germay. Each are hand-painted and made of composition, similar to papier-mache.

I used a simple layout to showcase this charming Nativity tableau.
Usually, I would set the figures in groups of odd numbers and display them on different "levels."
This time around however, I chose to set all the characters on one plain.
To add interest, I set the Holy Family and the Stable on a small little "hill." You can view the complete Nativity Scene here:

Getting Ready

And the wiseguys are out!

Emmanuel

The Nativity Up High.

Throughout the centuries the glorious birth of the Christ Child has been rendered by artisans in numerous ways. Some artisans produce exotic representations that came straight from the Bible: the Holy Family huddled together inside a cavern amidst Bethlehem's arabesque buildings and a starry night. Others choose to set it in a more familiar terrain, their own.




This nativity scene by Fontanini follows the latter. Here, the Holy Family and the shepherdess are shown garbed in an Italian peasant clothing. I chose to set the Nativity Story high up on the Tyrolean Alps as a personal reminder that even when everything seems bleak, there is still hope.

Shepherd