Creche display shows "the reason for the season"

This creche was one of 217 on display

A steady crowd Friday evening filled the gym at the LDS church in Mountain Home to see 217 creches depicting the birth of Jesus on display.

"We wanted people to remember the reason for the season," said Lynn Blethen, chairman of the project. "We wanted to start the (Christmas) season off correctly, to put the focus on what this season is all about."

Blethen, who also is the Relief Society president for the 4th Ward in Mountain Home, said the church had held similar exhibits in 1998 and 1999, and hopes to continue this year's successful exhibition next year, perhaps with an expanded format.

All the creches were donated by families from the Mountain Home Wards of the local stake.

"We anticipate an even larger number next year," said Blethen, who praised the women of the Relief Society for help in putting together the event, and in particular Julie Vogel, who designed the artistic backdrops to the creche displays. It took a full day to set up the exhibit, which filled the main gym at the church and spilled over into adjacent rooms.

Live music was provided during the evening by Katie Gibbons, Dan Borgholthaus and Jeri Benson.

In addition, five families took turns providing a live nativity on the stage at the church. Serving as Mary and Joseph were Jill and Brian Peterson, Elise and Mike Johnson, Kristen and Wes Whitworth, Debbie and Shane Schmidt, and Jennifer and Nathan Price. Most of the couples used a Cabbage Patch doll to represent baby Jesus, but the Price's used their infant, Travis, to add to the realism of the event.

The creches on display ranged from cardboard cutouts to exquisite cut glass. One was carved from a coconut. Another was made from white chocolate.

Overall, it represented an impressive display that was given high marks for both beauty and piety by those who took the time to enjoy the free event.

Next year, Blethen said, the display will probably be extended to include more than one evening.