With hundreds of nativity scenes to choose from, the Rev. Benno Pattison is partial to the one created by a person who is homeless. “It is a little collection of stones really, stones stacked on stones, with no discernible features,” said Pattison, rector of The Episcopal Church of the Epiphany. The Atlanta church owns the collection of crèches from around the world and currently has them on display, including the one Pattison likes best. “It really is an interesting motif,” he says, “and, I suppose, indicative of where the artist lays their head.” It’s also kind of fitting when you think about the story of a very special baby in a manger. That’s not to say there isn’t something inherently interesting and special about all of the other nativity scenes, each celebrating the birth of that baby in its own way.
Q: What’s the history of the collection?
A: The original collection of about 200 nativities was bequeathed to us in 1995 by Williams Lemonds, a musicologist and professor at Emory. The caveat was that they be displayed annually. We now have more than 350. There are dozens of nativities displayed in our parish proper — 23 that tell the birth story from the Gospel of Luke and 35 that tell the story through Matthew. All of the rest are in the parish hall and are of varying motifs and amalgamations and a fun mishmash of artistic expression. We are kind of an eclectic church so that fits us.
Q: The nativities really run the gamut.
A: The largest is 4-to-5 feet wide with figures a foot tall. Often, we put that one at the foot of our altar through the Advent season and Christmas. The smallest nativity is finely carved and the size of an egg. There are Asian and Indian and Middle Eastern and African and European ones. There are North American and Native American and South American ones, as well as some from Haiti and even the Arctic. Really from all over.
Q: In this collection, the Holy Family comes in all stripes and colors. What’s the significance of that?
A: It knocks down our sectarian, parochial, political and cultural walls in a very profound way. If Jesus is black, then I’m a fool if I’m a racist. If Jesus is Latino, then I am a fool for not welcoming immigrants into my home.
Q: For people who don’t know their Bible, what’s the difference between the version of Jesus’ birth in the gospels of Luke and Matthew?
A: Matthew’s version is in the spirit of his gospel, which is to validate Jesus’ kingship. The three kings, or wise men, show up as further validation. Luke, on the other hand, talks about the poor a lot. He has the announcement of the birth made to the lowest of the low at the time, which are the shepherds in the fields. They are the first evangelists to bring the good news. When I give talks on the nativities, I also weave in my notion of John’s nativity and Mark’s. John’s birth narrative is more cosmological — “In the beginning was the word…” — and Mark’s gospel starts with Jesus being baptized, which is an existential birth. I think I always leave people mildly perplexed with those.
Q: Do you find the collection overwhelming?
A: We don’t put them all out — maybe 250 or so — but I suppose it could be overwhelming. You are going to miss stuff. I have been here 12 years and I am still surprised when I really pay attention and take my time. That is sort of the fun of it.
Q: Collectively, what do these nativities say?
A: The word that popped into my mind is “ponder.” That is a good biblical phenomenon. When Mary received the news that she would be the God-bearer, the text renders that she pondered these things in her heart. I find it a delightful prospect to have to think through what the nativities mean to me and what the story of them means to me.
Q: Who puts them all up and takes them all down?
A: The youth group carries them all down. Some women in the church set them up. Then the youth group gets to put them all back.
Q: Would the exhibit speak to someone who is not Christian?
A: The beauty and the multicultural expression is in and of itself an invitation to think of something outside yourself. Whatever is true and good and beautiful is of divine origin, the philosophers say. It is a beautiful exhibit. Whether we name that divine doesn’t matter.
Nativities exhibit
More than 250 nativity scenes from around the world are on display through Sunday, Dec. 17 at The Episcopal Church of the Epiphany, 2089 Ponce de Leon Ave., Atlanta.
There is a $5 admission fee for adults while children under 12 can view the exhibit at no cost.
Information: www.epiphany.org or 404-378-8338.
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