Posted on 12/13/2005 7:12:55 AM PST by NYer
Tom Kolenberg and his father, John Kolenberg, were watching a television news story about the debate surrounding the placement of a nativity scene in a town square last year.
"People are afraid to say 'Merry Christmas' these days," Kolenberg recalled remarking to his father.
" 'The holiday season is the Christmas season,' " Kolenberg recalled his father saying. " 'We have a national holiday: It's Dec. 25.' "
Kolenberg later took a walk around his neighborhood in the Shippan section of Stamford. He saw reindeer and snowmen and Santas, but nary a Jesus.
He looked online for a nativity scene to buy and put on his front lawn, but nothing looked sturdy or affordable.
When his father asked him to build a nativity scene, Kolenberg was happy to oblige.
He took some spare pieces of fence and fashioned them into a manger. He bought six plastic figurines and placed the creation on his father's front lawn.
Then friends and neighbors started asking him for their own nativities. He made about 20 last year.
This year, Kolenberg said he commissioned more than 400 mangers from an Amish manufacturer in Churchtown, Pa. He ordered 400 plastic sets of Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus, which await in a warehouse in New Jersey. Kolenberg has sold about 45 nativity scenes this season in Connecticut and as far away as California.
He set up a Web site, reasonfortheseason.org, where the sets can be ordered. They cost $200, of which $50 goes to a Christian charity, Kolenberg said.
People who are outraged about too few public displays of nativities should make a statement and have sets on their lawns to show their devotion to Christ and the real meaning of Christmas, said Kolenberg, 42.
(Excerpt) Read more at stamfordadvocate.com ...
Anglican ping?
They're certainly attractive. If I had a place to set one, I'd sure order it!
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My mom has a HUGE Creche display at her house in South Florida. All of her Jewish neighbors (she lives in a largely Jewish community) come over every year to check it out.
I saw this great one of a kneeling Santa at a manger with a baby in it. Kinda sums it all up...
Thanks! I just ordered my "Just Say Merry Christmas" bracelets for the family.
Thanks! I just ordered the "Just Say Merry Christmas" bracelets for the family.
Beat the Christmams Rush!
Come to Church this Sunday!
Now if I could get that 10 ft tall and be able to install it on my roof...
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