This article is about the manger scene set up at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Glen Mills, PA. Pastor Steve Shott, OSFS, has set up this scene at the many parishes he has ministered in over the years.
The presepio, derived from the Latin word presepium, meaning manger, has been the de facto symbol of Christmas for Italian families for dozens of generations, and in the South, perhaps as long as a thousand years. Of course, most Italians also have a modern Christmas tree, but the presepio in its simplest form is a tradition of devotion representing the birth of the baby Jesus. These nativity scenes typically consist of a structure to represent the simple barn where Joseph and Mary were forced to give birth to the Son of God. An ox, donkey, angels, and perhaps the three Wise Men are typically represented. But the presepio is often much, much more, showing village scenes from everyday life. Its components are mostly handmade from a variety of materials: wood, ceramic, cartapesta (Papier-mâché), terracotta, and fabrics. Some scenes include small waterfalls or fountains, houses, buildings, mountains, trees, grottos, livestock, and vendors of all sorts. The presepio in the Social Hall belongs to Fr. Steve and is the work of over 30 years of collecting pieces. Many of the pieces were donated over the years from people in the parishes where Fr. Steve has served in the past. The display has been added to by people from Virginia, Delaware, Florida, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania. The presepio will be on display through the Advent and Christmas season. It will be taken down after January 8. The Church is open from 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM on weekdays and during scheduled Mass times on the weekends."
