The birth of Christ was the most significant message from God since Genesis. At this hallowed hour the message was a simple one of redemption, and the peace that follows. As this 2005th Christmas approaches, this Nativity is a reminder of the importance of that. By itself the Nativity scene has no power, but the belief in the birth of Christ has the power to move the Earth.
One of the most beautiful elements of the Christmas season is the way people are moved to express a desire for peace and goodwill for all humanity. This blog based web site has the ability to record your Christmas messages. Simply click on the comments link below any of the main posts. You will need to leave your name or a nickname (or 'anonymous'). inserting your email address is also required although it is not published or retained. You do not need to log in or leave a URL as they are optional. We love to read your messages, and so does eveyone else coming to the site.
Have a safe and merry Christmas, and peace for you and your loved ones.
As the colour of Christmas decorations and festivities accelerate in December it is easy to become disillusioned by inappropriate commercialism and endless party's. Yet for 2005 years one fact has remained constant at all times. Christmas is simply the celebration of the birth of Jesus. Births happen all the time, yet this one was to change the world forever. The Nativity at Cathedral Square is no more than a reminder of a momentous birth and what that means for all of us. Peace be with you.
This Nativity has been created in the long tradition of story telling and special symbols that started with St Francis when he made the first Nativity scenes hundreds of years ago.
The traditional grouping of Wise Men and Farm Folk is symbolic of the universal nature of Chritianity and emphasising the democratic reaching out to all people without prejudices.
The shepherds carry the richness of the Earth's harvest, and the first to arrive carries a dove, the symbol for peace. The angel in bringing the message of the birth to the shepherds is symbolic of the way God is reaching out to all mankind with a message of peace. The wise men are traditionally Kings who symbolise how wealth and wisdom with gifts of riches come to kneel before a greater King. Baby Jesus in a humble crib is at the very centre, as He is at the centre of life today.
The background paintings represent the birth with the symbol of a new dawn. It is both the birth of Christ as a man, and the birth of Christianity. As the sun rises over Bethlehem in the centre, there are two scenes on either side.
To the left are symbols of the birth of Jesus and his life on Earth to come. The Inn has closed doors. At the back of the Manger are 3 water containers. They represent the first miracle which was water to wine. The hill behind the Inn represents the sermon on the Mount.
The painting on the right represents the birth of the Christianity. There is a steeple on the wall, but no cross yet, as Jesus is only just born, however in contrast to the Inn, the door is open. This painting is based on the real Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, and that Church has a very small door so that it is not possible to enter that hallowed place without ones head bowed. In the foreground is a thorn bush, symbolic of the crucifiction that lays in the future. The hill could be representative then of Calvary, but that is for the future.
Incidentally, The Inn is also based on a real building, the remains of an actual Roman period Inn, complete with wall for the olive trees. The Inn that Mary and Joseph sought shelter in may well have looked much like this.
Fun things to do and find while visiting the Nativity with your family or friends. We include hints for helping younger children. We recommend highlighting this section and printing it to take with you when taking your children to see the Nativity. Please enjoy.
WHERE'S THE BROKEN STONE?
Baby Jesus was born into the Jewish culture. The traditional Jews believed that only God could make things perfectly, so they always made an imperfection on purpose. We did that here by making a stone with a broken corner. Can you find it? (Hint, it is near the one who holds a gift of fruit)
WHICH IS THE GIFT REPRESENTING PEACE?
One of the people bearing gifts for baby Jesus has a gift that represents peace. Which gift is that? (Hint, you will find the answer if you can finish this rhyme:
A shepherds gift is brought with love,
Neither fruit nor lamb, but a little ........?)
WHERE IS GODS SPECIAL MESSENGER?
God sent a special messenger to the shepherds to tell them about the birth of Jesus. Can you find the one who is that messenger? (Hint, look up)
HOW MANY OLIVE GROVES ARE THERE?
In palestine many people kept Olive trees behind a stone wall next to their house. In the painting there some like that. Can you find them and count how many there are? (Hint there are the same number as there are water containers)
THE MIRACLE OF WATER TO WINE.
The first miracle made by Jesus was to make wine out of water. In the painting there are 3 containers representing that miracle to come.Can you name them? Can you find them and count how many there are? (Hint, there are the same number as there are Olive groves)
THE INN.
Can you find the Inn? Is the door open or closed? Do you think it was fair not to let Joseph and Mary in?
THE HOLY FAMILY.
Do you think baby Jesus looks happy? Do you think he is talking to His Father? What is Joseph doing? And what is Mary doing?
THE ANIMALS.
How many animals are there? Do you think they think something wonderful has happened? Is there one animal that hasn't noticed yet? (Hint, she may be distracted by some grass)
It seems difficult to believe now that not long ago the spectacular artwork of the Nativity in Cathedral Square was paint in tubes and piles of wood and steel and existed largely in the dreams of those involved.
It was instigated by Cardinal George Pell, Archbishop of Sydney early in 2005. He inspired the creation of a very special crib worked on with enthusiasm by many and overseen by project manager Ralph Morris, and the Nativity Committee. Many of the people involved, and some photographs from the construction period can be found in the photo albums at left.
It was both a pleasure and an honour to work on this special project. Thank you to all concerned. The greatest reward was on the first day when a little girl, all excited was showing her mother all the details she was discovering in that raptuous way that young children have. She especially loved the little bit of grass the sheep is eating, and of course she told all present which figure was the one of baby Jesus. Her smiles and discovery made it plain just how important this crib is for all of Sydney.
The Council of the City of Sydney has created a beautiful display of boxed flowers in various designs with themes like 'Christmas Pudding' and 'Christmas Cracker' laid out along the piazza. The central planting surrounds a beautiful 6 metre high Christmas Tree. Complimentary to the Nativity Scene, it makes the entire square into a spectacular place for families to stroll and enjoy the best of Sydney's Christmas in summer at Cathedral Square.
Click on image to enlarge. Photo © by Tony Johansen
Augustus Ceasar commanded the first census so that he would know about all his domains. All males had to go to their hometown to be counted. Joseph was a carpenter in Nazareth, but was born in Bethlehem, so he took Mary, his betrothed with him. When they arrived there was no room in the Inn, so they had to stay in a manger with the animals.
During the night, baby Jesus was born.
The shepherds were told of the birth by an angel above them who said "Glory to God in the highest Heaven, and on Earth peace for those he favours." So the shepherds brought gifts for baby Jesus.
From the east came three wise men who had followed a star which rested above Bethlehem to show the way. When they found the newborn and his family they kneeled down and offered gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh.
(retold from Luke 2: 1-20 and the story of the magi is from Mathew)
2006 And the outdoor Nativity is already erected in Cathedral Square. It hardly seems possible that a full year has passed and it is time to celebrate the birth of Christ again. The passing of time reminds us of the shortness of life and the importance of this timeless story to all of us.
This site offers many story's. There is the story of Christmas, the most important story of all. There is also the story of the journey of the making of the artwork and other background information that might be of interest.
To the left are the various photo albums. To the right a message from the Cardinal, the list of posts, and the program of celebrations both in the Square and in the Cathedral during the Christmas season. And each post has a comments link where you are invited to leave your comments. And please e-mail this website address to your friends, we want the whole world to hear the message of the birth of Christ.