Good Shepherd Talks to Discuss the Nativity

Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC, Christmas Tree and Neapolitan Crèche

Good Shepherd Talks, a series of conversations on Zoom offered by the Church of the Good Shepherd in Sumter, returns this Sunday, December 20, with an Advent celebration of the Nativity. Harriett Green, director of visual arts for the South Carolina Arts Commission, will present The Nativity. 
 
The birth of Christ is one of the most celebrated events of the year.  The most iconic visual representation of this Christian celebration is the Nativity scene displayed in the homes of many Christians, in public spaces, museums, places of worship, tableaux vivants and live Nativity re-enactments.
 
St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals and the founder of the Franciscan Order, is credited as the founder of the Christmas tradition of Nativity scenes. In 1223, St. Francis staged a re-enactment of the birth of Christ in a manger in Bethlehem. His live Nativity featured a waxed sculpture of the baby Jesus, live costumed locals portraying Mary and Joseph, and a donkey and ox he borrowed from a friend.  As the Nativity grew in popularity as a tableau at Christmas it also became the subject for painters and sculptors by many leading artists throughout the ages.
 
Just as the Nativity became a popular subject, the addition of other figures as described in the Gospels of Luke and Matthew - the only two books in the New Testament that mention Jesus as an infant - became common practice. Angels, shepherds, sheep, camels, and the three wise men became integral figures in pictorial, sculptural and theatrical presentations of the Nativity.
 
Green will present and discuss humble and majestic images of paintings and famous crèches as well as crèches found in the homes of Good Shepherd church members, friends, antique shops, and places of worship.
 
All are welcome and invited to join the church's Morning Prayer Service on Sunday, December 20 on Zoom at 9:30 am. The Nativity talk will follow at 10:15 am. If you are interested in attending virtually, please contact Harriett Green at [email protected].

---