The first-ever Nativity scene recorded in history was created by St. Francis of Assisi. St. Francis was concerned that the meaning of Christmas was becoming lost as most people were more focused on gift giving than the true message.  He was determined to remind people what Christmas was really about and set about creating the world’s first known scene to help tell his people the Nativity Story.  It was created in a cave near Greccio, Italy, and involved real people and animals, making it a “living” Nativity scene. 

Today, nearly 800 years later, the true message of Christmas is often still lost; buried underneath layers of secular traditions. Yet at the same time, we still see nativities come out in homes and on lawns during the season.  Each year, Pastor Tim and Kathy Stetson open the parsonage at the Richford First Baptist Church to share their collection of nativities.  “We are really excited to be able to invite people to share our collection,” says Pastor Tim.  “We have over two hundred "static” nativity scenes on display this year and it continues to grow each and every day and we hope that continues.”

This year, in addition to the nativities, Pastor Tim and Kathy introduce guests to a Moravian Putz…a large nativity scene that tells the story of the Christmas birth using nativity figures, lighting and sound.  “Those who have seen it have been pretty excited,” says Kathy.  “The presentation is about fourteen minutes long but it really holds your attention from beginning to end.”

The Moravian Church, a protestant church that settled in and around Bethlehem, Pennsylvania brought the tradition of the putz to America in the 1700’s.  The word putz comes from the German word putzen which means to decorate or clean. The manger is always the center of any putz and so it is in Richford.  Pastor Tim and Kathy say that they saw their first putz at the “National Christmas Center” in Paradise, Pennsylvania.  As they were developing their idea of hosting a nativity exhibit it became apparent that they really needed to include a putz as a part of it.

The exhibit runs on the dates shown on the exhibit advertising and at other times by appointment.  “We really want people to be able to see the exhibit,” says Pastor Tim, “so if someone can’t make a day and time that we have pre-scheduled, we hope they will call and ask to come at another time.  We will do our best to accommodate.” 

The exhibit is in the church parsonage located at 33 School Street right across the road from the church.  Parking is available across from the church as well as around to the side where the church has a large parking lot.  More information can be obtained by calling the church office:  802-848-3635.

The exhibit is presented through the cooperative efforts and support of Pastor Tim and Kathy, the Richford First Baptist Church and Guardian Angel Ministries.  Admission is free.  Donations, both financial and additional nativities, are accepted to support the growth of the exhibit.  Don’t miss this fun Christmas event.