By Corbin Hubbell
Social Media Coordinator
Cristo Rey Parish is set to host its annual nativity display Dec. 21 through Jan. 7, 2024.
Visitors are welcome daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. The nativity scene will be closed to the public Dec. 27 and Jan. 3.
In Spanish, this scene is referred to as a belén, and Cristo Rey Church has hosted it every year since 2004.
The tradition of the nativity scene is credited to St. Francis of Assisi, who is alleged to have staged the first nativity of the birth of the Lord in the year 1223 in Italy, marking the 800th year of the nativity scene tradition.
This 28-foot-wide belén at Cristo Rey is crafted by hand. The display captures the essence of the nativity in Bethlehem, along with scenes from Nazareth, Egypt, and the Jerusalem Temple.
Many pieces featured in the display are from all over the world. There is a stone from the Sea of Galilee, icons from Egypt, and pieces from Italy and Spain. The ‘artistic director’ of the project, Jose Herrero, said he has traveled all over the world and has collected and received nativity scenes from many different countries.
Primary builders and dedicated volunteers from Cristo Rey and North American Martyrs Parish worked around the clock for a week to ensure the intricate display is ready for visitors by Dec. 21. The display includes fiber optic lights, running water with fish, moving and stationary figurines.
The display runs on a four-minute cycle, portraying night and day. Certain parts of the display become illuminated to showcase parts of the Gospel story like the Annunciation of Mary where the angel Gabriel appears to her.
“We have a lot of figures that represent the birth of Christ, his childhood, and different scenes from the Gospel of St. Luke,” said Herrero.
While there is no admission fee, donations are greatly appreciated. Proceeds will support the St. Vincent De Paul Society in Lincoln. In the past, the money raised helped support Catholic communities overseas. This year, Herrero said he saw the need for help in his own community and wanted to help out the Lincoln area.
