Blessed displays: 'Festival of the Nativities' will feature more than 200 pieces in Corrales

Jane Moorman is a nativity collector.

At any given time, there are 15 on displays at her home.

“Once you buy one, you keep on collecting,” Moorman says with a laugh. “It’s become a great hobby for me. Each one is created with such beauty.”

Moorman is one of the organizers putting together “Festival of the Nativities,” which is held at Old San Ysidro Church in Corrales.

The event returns for the 2023 iteration from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, and Sunday, Dec. 17, in Corrales.

There will be over 200 special nativities, also called crèches, from around the world.

From the tiniest crèche to the biggest, all will be beautifully displayed in the Old Church, festively decorated with greens, trees, colorful packages and poinsettias.

Nativities vary the world over, reflecting the traditions, culture, interpretations and style of the people building the scenes.

They can be reverent or light-hearted, representational or abstracted, amusing or serious.

All reflect a local cultural view from a particular place or time.

“We are so pleased to welcome our friends, neighbors, and visitors to view these unique nativities from around the world in the historic Old Church,” says Alice Glover, of the festival committee.

Moorman says many of the nativities are on loan from Corrales Historical Society members.

Blessed displays: 'Festival of the Nativities' will feature more than 200 pieces in Corrales

“Each nativity will have a brief description in front of it with its story,” Moorman says. “It will tell a little bit about how it was acquired and the meaning behind it.”

Moorman says there will be at least 50 new nativities on display this year.

“There will be something new for everyone attending the show,” she says. “We don’t realize how many nativity connoisseurs there are. For my brother and I, collecting has become an art.”

Moorman is marking her third year helping out with the show.

“I was a journalist before this and I know a lot about organization,” she says. “This is another way for the historical society to connect with the community on a different level.”

This event is free, but donations are welcome. All monies go to preservation and maintenance of the Old Church.

The poinsettias decorating the Old Church will be shared with homebound Sandoval County neighbors after the event to brighten their holiday season.