Woman sets scene with Nativities

Collecting scenes of a famous manger in Bethlehem came naturally to Jane Stuart. She has been a obstetrical nurse for 35 years and has three children of her own. The connection between mother and child has always been powerful in her life.

"I loved the Christmas story and more the mother and the child," she says. "I've always been drawn to it."

Since 1965, Stuart has amassed more than 150 different Nativity scenes made by many different cultures out of materials ranging from pewter and porcelain to rubber to the cross-stitched scene she made herself.

At this time of year they usually have overtaken her house, but today Stuart's Nativity scenes will be among more than 200 from many countries and many generations of families to be displayed at Maple United Methodist Church.

The free Nativity Festival Open House featuring scenes brought in by members of the congregation will be held from 1-3 p.m. at the church, at the corner of Cape Rock and Jean Ann drives. Rosemary Oxley will play dulcimer music, and refreshments will be served.

Sharing the season

Mary Spell, a member of the church who helped organize the event, said the church also intends to present a live outdoor Nativity scene during the open house.

"This is a chance for us to share the holiday season with people other than our church family," she said.

Stuart moved here from her hometown of Brooklyn, N.Y., this year to become director of the new Family BirthPlace at St. Francis Medical Center. She began collecting Nativity scenes the year she graduated from nursing school, but the oldest scene in her collection was passed down from her mother. Many are gifts from friends who know her love for them.

"It's nice to know when people think of that they think of me," she said.

A few, such as the large hand-painted porcelain figures and a Faberge egg, are valuable. But most have value in other than monetary terms. Stuart can tell you which scene was a gift from which friend.

"There is a lot of joy in putting them out and remembering who has given them to me," she said.

Nativity Play-Doh

Her youngest child, Russell, made her a Nativity scene out of Play-Doh. He's now 20, but she still has it.

Her co-workers at the Family BirthPlace gave Stuart a Nativity scene made from a willow tree to celebrate its opening.

She has more than 10 Nativity music boxes. There are large scenes that occupy a table top and a tiny scene that fits in her hand. The latter was given to her when she was a child.

A Native American Nativity scene, an Eskimo scene, a Nativity quilt and pillows and tapestry are in her collection along with six Nativity snow globes.

The scenes in which the Virgin Mary holds the baby Jesus in her arms are rare and special to Stuart.

She often shops for Nativity scenes the day after Christmas. "Half price," she said, beaming.

Only one, a scene called "Kneeling Santa," takes a bit of a secular approach. Santa Claus has taken his cap off and is kneeling at the manger.

The Nativity represents the part of Christmas that never changes, Stuart said. "That's one of the reasons I collect them, to show people the true meaning of Christmas is the birth of Christ."

sblackwell@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 182