Once a year, special decorations from Christmas celebrations past come out of hiding to create a festive atmosphere for sharing with family and friends during the holiday season.
For many, a nativity scene is a cherished tradition. Artists have sculpted many beautiful variations on the nativity scene that are treasured by their owners.
Habitat for Humanity is providing a special opportunity to share these nativity sets and their unique stories as the Nativity Festival returns to Greene County on Sunday, Dec. 8. This year the event is hosted at St. Joseph Catholic Church and Parish Center in Jefferson.
Owners of nativity sets are invited to display one or more at the festival by calling Kathy Walker at M&M Appliques to reserve space, 515-386-3945 or 386-8259 evenings. Displays will be set up by their owners between 3 and 6 pm on Saturday, Dec. 7, with the public display opening at 12 pm on Sunday.
There is not a cost to display nativity sets and there is not an admission charge to the Nativity Festival. Free will donations to the local low-income housing repair efforts of Habitat for Humanity will be accepted.
The Nativity Festival also features a soup luncheon and an auction of tasty pies from the area’s most accomplished baker,s and culminates with a festive community Christmas concert. The luncheon begins at noon in the St. Joseph Parish Center with the pie auction following at 1:30. The concert will start around 2:30 pm in the beautiful St. Joseph Catholic Church.
Loaned nativity sets can be picked up immediately following the pie auction and until 4 p.m. that day.
Nativity sets are also being accepted for donation that will be offered by silent auction at the Nativity Festival. Those wishing to donate a nativity set are asked to call Walker as well.
Several distinctive nativity sets have already been committed to the festival display using an array of construction materials and with fascinating stories of origin. Persons who have cherished and unique nativity sets to share with the community are asked to call to reserve space in the Nativity Festival benefitting Habitat for Humanity on Dec. 8.
