‘Room at the Inn’ Nativity Display Returns
to St. Matthew Center for Health on Dec. 4 and 5
Did you grow up with a nativity scene displayed in your home? When you think of nativity scenes, do you imagine the traditional Italian crèche?
The eighth annual “Room at the Inn” will provide a stunning visual reminder that the “Christmas Story” — as illustrated in nativity scenes — does indeed have many expressions. On December 5 and 6, 400 nativities will be on display at St. Matthew Center for Health in Park Ridge between 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. St. Matthew, a program of Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI), is located at 1601 Western Avenue in Park Ridge.
The collection is the work of Susan Greeley of Oak Park, who has spent the past 30 years amassing the nativity scenes from all over the world. “I find it amazing that the same story can be interpreted in so many different ways, depending on the imagination and culture of the artist,” she says. “It’s a concrete way of seeing the vastness of God’s love for all people.”
Greeley adds that many visitors return each year to see the display and say it gives them a wonderful sense of peace and inspiration in a troubled world.
For Susan and her husband, Pastor Jeff King, the display is a gift to the community. She says, “It’s a great deal of work to set up the display, and during that process, I often wonder whether it’s worth the effort. But once my husband and I see the expressions on people’s faces and the delight of the children, we know why we keep doing this each year. The story of the nativity and the hope it brings people – that’s what this season is all about.”
Again this year, groups of students from area parochial schools will be coming to see the display during private viewing hours on Friday. They will be told about the nativity scenes and take part in a nativity scavenger hunt.
New this year at the event is that items from Global Handmade Hope, a Fair Trade store in Park Ridge, will be on sale. This store offers unique handcrafted products made by artisans and farmers from developing countries, such as home decor, accessories, apparel, kids’ items and foods. The store has a direct connection to East Africa and carries many unique textiles, accessories and toys, and many items are made specifically for this store.
The tradition of the nativity scene, or crèche, dates back to 1223. St. Francis of Assisi is said to have been traveling to the Italian village of Greccio at the time, when the sight of shepherds in moonlit fields evoked images of the first Christmas. Inspired, he beckoned villagers that Christmas Eve to light the sky with their torches, bring their animals and re-enact the nativity. During succeeding centuries, the tradition spread from Italy to the rest of Europe and beyond. Today, many Christian families annually display a crèche, often one that has been handed down from generation to generation.
Greeley, who has traveled extensively, says, “I bought my first nativity scene in 1980, when I was living in Bogota, Colombia.” Throughout the years, her collection has grown through gifts, as well as through her own purchases. Almost every one of the nativities has some kind of story behind it. Greeley will be at St. Matthew to meet visitors and answer questions about the collection.
While viewing this beautiful, inspiring exhibit, guests may register for a free chance to win a nativity set of their own. Children will enjoy the “Please Touch” table and may also participate in a separate drawing to win a set that appeals to them. Light refreshments will be served. The event is free and open to the public. For more information on “Room at the Inn,” call 847/825-5531, or visit www.StMatthewCenter.org.
About St. Matthew Center for Health:
St. Matthew Center for Health, a program of Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI), was founded in 1959. Celebrating its 51st anniversary this year, St. Matthew offers rehabilitation services, long-term care, respite care and a specialized dementia unit. St. Matthew is located at 1601 N. Western Avenue in Park Ridge, two blocks south of Dempster Street and just south of Lutheran General Hospital.
About Lutheran Social Services of Illinois:
Founded in 1867, Lutheran Social Services of Illinois is a statewide, not-for-profit social service agency of the three Illinois synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. LSSI serves people through an array of services at 83 sites across Illinois. For more information about LSSI, visit www.LSSI.org.
