, 
, 
, 
, 
, 
Stories and memories flowed from St. John Lutheran Church in Luverne Saturday as the first Festival of Nativities took place with excellent participation from both nativity owners and the public.
Parishioner Janet Marshall suggested the activity and assembled a committee to help organize and display nativity scenes.
“I saw this at another church and I thought it would be great for our church to have,” she said.
The committee reached out to members to bring nativities to the church. For the past several weeks, people have been dropping off submissions.
Saturday’s event featured 206 displays and 35 ornaments, including several nativities from other countries.
JoAnn Strege shared 37 nativities and ornaments she has collected for more than 70 years, including one ceramic nativity she may have painted as a child.
“The true meaning of Christmas we forget is CHRIST-mas,” she said. “There’s too many Santas and Christmas stuff, which is nice for kids, but we need to get back to the true meaning.”
The committee spent two days setting up the displays in the church’s basement, atrium and sanctuary. Tables were decorated, and each nativity was placed with care and labeled with the owner’s name.
“If there’s something special about the nativity, they included it on the card,” Marshall said.
Some nativity stories were too long to be included on the display card.
As committee member Heather Johnson of Luverne unpacked a hand-crocheted nativity belonging to her father-in-law and former pastor, Gail Johnson, she explained how he received the nativity from a talented parishioner. The 15-piece set has become cherished by the family.
“She gave Mary, Joseph and Jesus for Christmas one year and added a knitted figure every year after that,” Johnson said.
An estimated 250 people toured the nativities Saturday.
That afternoon each nativity was carefully repacked and given back to the owner.
Committee members will discuss the event at a future meeting and its possible return in 2022.
“We are very pleased with the turnout, and those in attendance seemed to thoroughly enjoy all the various nativities,” Marshall said.
“From what people in attendance have said to us, they would like to see it again next year, so it is highly likely we will (offer it again).”