Linden Road Presbyterian Church (LRPC) is excited to announce a new mission by inviting the Mansfield community to LRPC to learn more about the birth of Christ through a unique display of members’ own treasured nativity scenes. On Friday, Dec. 12, from 6-9 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 13, from 1-4 p.m. the public is invited to visit both Linden Road Presbyterian Church at 160 S. Linden Road at Maple Street and LRPC’s satellite home, at 908 Maumee, The Rose House, to view this extraordinary exhibit.
Hot chocolate and coffee, as well as Christmas cookies will be served. There will be a drawing for a free nativity set, as well. Admission for this event will be a voluntary donation of a can of food which will be distributed to a local charity.
LRPC hopes this will be the start of an ongoing Christmas tradition in Mansfield and is pleased to offer the opportunity for the public to visit the facilities and enjoy the beauty of the LRPC Sanctuary.
Saint Francis of Assisi was an 11th century Catholic friar who is credited with creating the first nativity scene in 1223 (a “living” one) intending thereby to cultivate the worship of Christ. He had been inspired by his recent visit to the Holy Land where he visited Jesus’ traditional birthplace. The scene’s popularity inspired communities throughout Catholic countries to stage similar pantomimes.
A nativity scene (crèche) may consist of figures ranging from only the three main people; the infant Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, to many more characters such as Shepherds with their sheep, angels, and visitors from afar, as described in the gospels of Luke and Mathew.
www.lindenroadpresby.org for up-to-date information.