M’lore: Students of St. Joseph’s College Jeppu prepare Crib depicting the logo of the ‘Year of

By Ashritha DSouza
Pics by John V. Tauro
Bellevision Media Network

Mangalore, 28 Dec 2012: A nativity scene or   crib is a depiction of the birth of Jesus as described in the gospels of Matthew and Luke. While the term "nativity scene" typically includes two dimensional depictions in film, painting, printmaking, and other media, in the history of art and culture, as well as in popular use, the term refers to static, three dimensional, artistic, commercial or folk art dioramas, or pantomimes called "living nativity scenes" in which real humans and animals participate. Nativity scenes exhibit figures representing the infant Jesus, his mother Mary, and Joseph. Other characters from the nativity story such as shepherds, the Magi, and angels may be displayed near the manger in a barn (or cave) intended to accommodate farm animals. A donkey and an ox are typically depicted in the scene, as well as camels belonging to the Magi.

Saint Francis of Assisi is credited with creating the first nativity scene in 1223 (a "living" one) intending thereby to cultivate the worship of Christ, having been inspired by his recent visit to the Holy Land where he had been shown Jesus’s traditional birthplace. The scene’s popularity inspired communities throughout Catholic countries to stage similar pantomimes.
Distinctive nativity scenes and traditions have been created around the world and are displayed during the Christmas season in churches, homes, shopping malls, and other venues, and occasionally on public lands and in public buildings. In the United States, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City annually displays a Neapolitan Baroque nativity scene before a 20 feet (6.1 m) blue spruce.

 

 

 Practically in every parish, Institutions and every catholic family prepare crib during the Christmas time. Children are really excited to prepare the crib. Recently we see variety of cribs depicting the birth of Jesus.
Fr J.B.Crasta said that, taking inspiration from the logo of the year of faith the students of St Joseph College, Jeppu has  prepared a crib on a boat. It has attracted  a number of people in the town. What is the meaning of the logo of the year of faith? According to Archbishop Rino Fisichella, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting New Evangelization, the logo of the Year of Faith shows the image of a ship which symbolizes the Church. The mast of the vessel is a cross with full-blown sails which form the monogram of Christ (IHS) and in the background is a sun representing the Eucharist. The extend hand of the Child Jesus invites us to enter into the door of faith. In a world of unhappiness and turmoil (Boat tossing on the Sea) the baby Jesus assures his grace to journey into the harbor of security and peace.

In St Anthony’s Chartable institutions the crib depicts the flight of Mary to Egypt. A crib at the road side could be viewed by the public.  The name of the fight is’ Emmanuel’ which means God is with us. This crib prepared by Fr Gorge Crasta the assistant director of the institutions, which attracts thousands of people who passes by the Ashram.
Along with the priests the youth of Jeppu, Valencia parishes and Father Mullers has prepared beautiful cribs. They depicts the birth of Jesus in the background beautiful nature of God.