The Mail-Journal, Volume 5, Number 43, Milford, Kosciusko County, 29 November 1967 — Page 20

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TOE MAIL-JOURNAL Wednesday, November 29, 1957

Gatlinburg's Nativity Scene Christmas every day of the year is the dream of many youngsters. And there is at least one place in the nation — Gatlinburg. Tenn.. — where the spirit of Christmas, as represented by what has been called the world's most realistic Nativity scene, is experienced by hundreds of thousands of people, not just in December, but all through the year. This famous scene is part of Gatlinburg’s Christ us Gardens, and it is unique in many ways. Portraving the First Christmas with startling

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realism, the life-sized, three-dimen-sional representation sets the mood for an entire tour which visitors may take through a series of important scenes from the life of Christ. Ronald S. Ligon, director of Christus Gardens, which is nondenominational, explains that the appeal of the Nativity Scene is demonstrated by the fact that while visitors to the gardens are relatively few during the month of December. there is always a substantial increase during Christmas week. The scene, he points out. was designed to portray the bibl.cal story of the First Christinas in the way most familiar to all. and consequently it has a few intentional in-

consistencies. Joseph and Mary are shown at the manger, while four shepherds and three wise men stand and kneel nearby in the stable area. Three sheep — real ones, incidentally, mounted by a taxidermist — Stand nearby, and a tiny lamb lies next to the manger. Real straw covers the floor, real wooden beams form the roof structure and claytype walls carry through the realism of the setting. The staffs in the hands of the shepherds are actual shepherds’ crooks. Bluish light predominates, and rays from above shine through a window down upon the manger, as if from the Star in the East. Hanging over the side of the manger is a garment representing the swaddling clothes in which the baby

Jesus was wrapped. Mary is garbed in the traditional blue. Technically, Mr. Ligon explains the wise men from the East would not have reached Bethlehem soon enough to be included in the Christmas scene, but the familiar portrayal shows the three there, with gifts of gold, myrrh and frankincense. Their presence, he said, is illustrative of the sacrifice each has made to give up his worldly possessions and travel a great distance to 'worship the new King. The shepherds, in fields doser to Bethlehem, made what was for them an equally great sacrifice in leaving their flocks to go to the stable where Christ was bom. The four figures in the scene represent all the shepherds who may have made this journey.

Mr. Ligon points out that an excellent indication of the success of this representation of the Nativity is the fact that young children immediately recognize it. The figures in the scene were crafted by the world-famous Gems, Ltd., of London, producer of waxworks for three quarters of a century’. and the scene was designed by Deroy Displays of Canada. Costumes for the figures were made by

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the eminent London firm of B. J. Simmons, from fabric woven in the lands where the figures wearing the cost.:mes were supposed to have lived. Complementing the Nativity scene is appropriate music —- the familiar carol “Silent Night”, sung by the Christus Gard<«ns Choir, under the direction of Dr. Cyrus Daniel, head of the music department at Vanderbilt university.

By Any Name, Santa's The Same He's Santa Gaus in America, but he has many different names around the world. He is called “Fath t Frost” in Russia. Children caM him “Kriss Kingle” in Germany. “Nice Old Falther” is what

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the Chinese children call Santa Claus and in Norway children expect gifts from an elf called “Jul Tonten”. “Pere Noel” is who the French youngsters receive presents from and in Holland the name is “Sinterklass". The world has many more “Santas". but whatever his name, wherever he exists, he brings happiness to children.