Each December in Kirtland, Ohio, hundreds of nativities are artfully displayed for public viewing in an event called “Christmas in Kirtland.”
For the past 19 years, the popular exhibit has been housed at the Historic Kirtland Visitors’ Center. With growing crowds and more heirloom Nativity donations, “Christmas in Kirtland” has expanded to two locations as the event celebrates its 20th anniversary.
The Kirtland Temple Visitors’ Center, which The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints acquired with the Kirtland Temple in March, will serve as a second venue for the event this year.
“To see the exhibits in person is truly magical. With the majestic Kirtland Temple in the background and also thanks to the beautiful snow we have been having, the view from the temple visitors’ center main room is like a full-size snow globe,” Scott and Shauna Barrick, Ohio Historic Site leaders, wrote in an email to the Church News.
“Christmas in Kirtland” is organized by members of the Kirtland Ohio Stake, with support by the Church’s Ohio Historic Sites. Other faiths in the area have also provided nativities or volunteered to help with the exhibit. One local Catholic parish donated a nativity to be included in the exhibit permanently.
The exhibit, which draws thousands of visitors annually, has received numerous awards over the years, including an honor from the national Friends of the Creche society, an organization dedicated to preserving the artistry of Nativity scenes.
Visitors will find a number of variations of the traditional scene with Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus, along with sheep, camels and donkeys.
The creches, representing more than 70 countries — including South Africa, Liberia, Thailand, Germany, France, Italy, Peru, Indonesia, Rwanda, China and India — have all been handcrafted from traditional fabrics, natural materials, glass, porcelain, wood carvings, clay and even a disk brake drum and shovel head. Some creches feature not-so-traditional animals, such as lions, giraffes, a hippo, a snake and even a turtle.
To help celebrate the 20th anniversary, interfaith communities throughout Ohio will share their Christmas traditions with visitors at live musical performances every Sunday evening throughout December.
Both exhibits are free and open daily until Jan. 6. Their hours of operation are Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sunday, 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.; and Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The exhibits will be closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
The Kirtland Temple Visitors’ Center is located at 7809 Joseph St. and at the Historic Kirtland Visitors’ Center, is at 7800 Kirtland-Chardon Rd., both in Kirtland, Ohio. More information is available at christmasinkirtland.com.
