Mepkin Abbey Creche Festival

  For the past 18 years, the Trappist monks of Mepkin Abbey (Moncks Corners, South Carolina) have displayed about a hundred creches from their collection of over 2000  to the public for a few days before Christmas. The beautiful works of art represent the Christmas story through the hands and eyes of artists from many countries and cultures of the world.

  It’s so hard to choose, but here are some of our favorites.

Some of the works were exhibited outside, some inside the beautifully decorated abbey library. 

South Carolina, ceramic

Mosaic detail

Columbia, South America, clay

Congo, 

banana leaf fiber

Ecuador, dough

Detail 

Nairobi, Kenya

Kenya 

This one and the next three, the wood carvings, are my favorites.

“Birth and Renewal” (above) is by North Carolina artist Anna Koloseike. I love the hands!

Detail

Two-foot figures, natural wood

Peru

Some Children See Him

Some children see Him lily white,
the baby Jesus born this night.
Some children see Him lily white,
with tresses soft and fair.
Some children see Him bronzed and brown,
The Lord of heav’n to earth come down.
Some children see Him bronzed and brown,
with dark and heavy hair.

Some children see Him almond-eyed,
this Savior whom we kneel beside.
some children see Him almond-eyed,
with skin of yellow hue.
Some children see Him dark as they,
sweet Mary’s Son to whom we pray.
Some children see him dark as they,
and, ah! they love Him, too!

The children in each different place
will see the baby Jesus’ face
like theirs, but bright with heavenly grace,
and filled with holy light.
O lay aside each earthly thing
and with thy heart as offering,
come worship now the infant King.
‘Tis love that’s born tonight!