Journey to the Manger

Lots of planning, preparing, and praying went into the past eleven months by a Catholic Women's League committee in Chatham, Ontario.  Christmas was barely over last year, when my friend Lori laid out her inspiration for a Nativity display event for the coming year.  With our priest, Fr. Daniel, we all agreed that this would be our Christmas gift to our city, and we would not charge for admission or refreshments (a beautiful tea room was set up), nor would we sell tickets for a raffle.   Like God's  wonderful Gift of His Son, this event would be free to everyone.

There were over 380 Nativity sets loaned by people in our parish as well as from others in the community.  We hand delivered invitations to every church in town as well as newspaper articles and radio announcements.

The large rustic stable was made by Martin & his dad about 60 years ago.

I am seated here with some of the most inspiring women I've ever worked with on  committees.  There were dozens of men, women, and young people that served as volunteers throughout the three day event.

 There were over 2000 happy people that passed through our church hall in the basement.  Everyone was so pleased with this birthday party for Jesus--for that's what it felt like.

Several groups of children from Catholic schools in town acted out the Christmas story as it was r read by a narrator.  We also had live organ, guitar, & violin music.

Members of our Stained Glass Window Book committee led tours of the beautiful windows in Blessed Sacrament Church.
The Journey to the Manger ushered great expectation for the Advent season.