Epiphany - The Star of the Christmas Creche

In 1982, George arrived at the Church House where we lived and told our family, “I made this star as a gift for you. It does not belong to the Parish. Take it with you, wherever you go."

We have.

After several years adorning our home in St. John’s Newfoundland, we brought it to Toronto, Ontario where it guided people to our front door for 17 years. And for the past five Christmas seasons it has shone brightly on the exterior wall of our own home in Burlington, Ontario.

For 10 years, it occupied an honoured place, hovering over the Holy Family in the last scene (manger in Bethlehem) in THE REAL CHRISTMAS STORY – a play written by our daughter Allison Lynn and myself. Over 5,000 people walked through St. John’s York Mills churchyard to experience an outdoor theatrical presentation in Canada in December, and another 100,000 people saw the star when THE REAL CHRISTMAS STORY was shown on television…a fantastic journey for 10 pieces of plywood and a string of ten lights formed by George’s creativity and  talent, and clamped together with glue and nails. George’s star travelled infinitely more than he ever imagined.

On this first day of the Epiphany, we remember the astrologers who travelled for two years following an unknown star, not knowing where they were being led. Epiphany means “shining forth”, and the words from the manger scene of THE REAL CHRISTMAS STORY seem very reassuring as we head into an unknown and uncertain future.

 “This is a wonderful day for us who live here in Bethlehem;

Our God has been born as a baby in this very stable;

Look! There are his earthly parents - Mary and Joseph;

And look, there is the baby, Jesus Christ!

We have all seen the star;

God said, ‘I am the light of the world’, and there is the light;

It shone through the ages past;

It guided the astrologers and shepherds to this place;

It guides us today and into the future.

God has become a human being and dwells among us.

Let us celebrate the holiest of miracles”.

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The Crèche is a nativity set depicting the birth of Jesus Christ. Since St. Francis built the first Crèche in the 13^th century, the idea has expanded around the world. Even though people frame their Crèches to reflect their local customs, traditions, cultures and materials, the central focus is always the same – the birth of the Saviour. During the 12 days of Christmas, I shared 12 Crèches and their messages. Hope you enjoy them.  

Today is a bonus blog – we look to the star to see Jesus Christ - the “light of the world”

Love to hear your thoughts on the Creches in COMMENTS below.