A tiny ceramic hand offers baby Jesus an Oreo.
The two-inch ceramic figure is the perfect image of a little boy dressed as an angel for the Christmas nativity pageant, complete with a small circle of silver garland serving as his halo.
On other figures, sneakers and jeans peak out from under costumes. The artist who created the crèche, or nativity scene, designed the entire cast in the image of her Sunday school class, explained Barb Watters, organizer of the annual Christmas crèche exhibit.
She expects between 500 and 600 creche creations will be on display starting Sunday (Nov. 27) at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Sidney.
“This is the fifth year here, but the idea is 30 years old,” Watters said. “We started with about four pieces, then it doubled, and now it’s up to 500, but we never know (how many) until they all get here.”
The Christmas crèches come from around the globe and belong to members of the church, who at times have bought the pieces with the event in mind. Each crèche reflects a belief of people in different lands. The free celebration is open to the public. It runs until Dec. 4 at 2210 Eastleigh Way.
“It’s just our gift to start Christmas,” said Watters. “Even if guests don’t believe it’s the reason for the season, the artwork is incredible.”
Viewing hours are Sunday, Nov. 27 from 1 to 6 p.m.; Nov. 28 to Dec. 2 from 6 to 9 p.m.; Dec. 3 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 4 from 1 to 6 p.m.
reporter@peninsulanewsreview.com