United Methodist exhibits more than 35 collections of nativity scenes
Display joins church's tradition of living tableaux
By Angela Randazzo Special to the Acorn

Last year Barbara Witman saw a display of nativities and créches in Thousand Oaks. The collection inspired her to do the same thing at her own church- Simi Valley United Methodist.

This year the church presents "No Room at the Inn," a collection of more than 35 nativities and créches to celebrate the season. The event is free of charge, and all in the community are welcome to attend.

The collection will be on display in the church's fellowship hall at 2394 Erringer Road from 2 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 22 and from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 23.

"The nativities are made of different materials, different kinds of wood and porcelain. I have a quilted wall hanging of a nativity scene," Witman said. "One of the sets has teddy bear figures, but most are a traditional representation of the holy family."

The figures range in size from tiny figurines to statues more than 3 feet tall.

Church members donated the nativities from their own collections for the display.

Each set is unique, depicting the holy family in different artistic styles.

In addition to the nativity display, the church continues its tradition of a living nativity started in 1978. The living nativity is a tableau of the birth of baby Jesus in a Bethlehem stable.

Members of the church youth group volunteer to portray Mary and Joseph, the three wise men, shepherds and an angel.

The outside display will be on church grounds at the corner of Cochran Street and Erringer Road from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Dec. 22 and 23 and from 6 to 7 p.m. on Christmas Eve, Monday, Dec. 24.

"We want to create a quiet place in the holiday busyness," Witman said. "I hope people will come out, have a few quiet moments and think about what Christmas really is about."