Delano Herald Journal

Serving the communities of Delano, Loretto, Montrose, MN, and the surrounding area

Meaning of Christmas? Look no further than a local front lawn



The true meaning of Christmas can be found arranged on
the front lawn of many local homes.

In fact, nativities ­ complete with stables, the Christ
child, Mary, Joseph, and various participants of the first Christmas, are
gaining popularity as figures in Christmas lighting displays, since more
and more are springing up year after year.

Several of the larger nativities have been around for decades,
and are enjoyed by many grandchildren as well as passersby.

For example, Melvin and Marian Frank, 1000 Ninth St. in
Howard Lake, faithfully show an elaborate wooden display each year since
1983.

This year, the Franks outdid themselves by erecting a shower
of Christmas lights leading to the Star of David above their usual nativity
stable scene.

Also new is a drummer boy with “moving” hands
(with the help of rotating lights), standing beside the usual 50-plus figures,
such as animals walking (also with the help of blinking, rotating lights).

The lighted sign “Happy Birthday Jesus” can be
seen every year, just like clockwork.

“That’s what it’s all about,” Marian said of
the nativity.

The animal figures are meant to be shown praising God,
she said.

The display was originally a collection started by Marian’s
father, Ben Klima, she said.

Her husband adds to the display as the years go by with
his wood cutting skills, she said.

Another large nativity display can be seen every year in
Montrose at the Florence Rasset residence, located at the west end of Montrose,
along Highway 12.

The display was obtained in 1966, and has been shown in
Montrose since then, she said.

Originally, the figures started out as big color pictures
on heavy paper, she said. They were transferred onto heavy plywood and have
been on display ever since, she said.

“It’s halfway worn out,” she said, although the
nativity appears to be in very good shape for its age.

No fewer than 24 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren
enjoy the Rasset nativity, along with busy travelers from Highway 12.

Another established nativity is Harvey Drusch’s home in
Howard Lake, which was obtained a decade ago, when his wife, the late Lorraine
Drusch, was still alive.

The stable was fashioned from sawmill wood, and his children
helped obtain the shepherds, he said.

Fifteen Drusch grandchildren enjoy the display.

Legend has it that the real location of Jesus Christ’s
birth may have been a cave, on display in Israel at the Church of the Nativity
in Bethlehem.

During the time of Christ’s birth, caves were used to keep
animals in because of the intense heat in that region. Wood was not used
as widely as it is today.

The cave site of the Nativity in Bethlehem was identified
by St. Justin Martyr, a second century Christian apologist.

The Church of the Nativity is one of the oldest Christian
churches in existence. During the Crusades, it was a primary place of pilgrimage.

The church is visited by thousands of people each year.

Americans came up with the wooden stable version of the
nativity later, according to different sources.

Photos of this chapel site can be seen on the Internet
at www.sacredsites.com


Of course, that nativity is based on the witness of
Matthew and Luke. Here is the Luke version, which is more detailed:

Now it came about in those days that a decree went out
from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth.

This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor
of Syria.

And all were proceeding to register for the census, everyone
to his own city.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of
Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because
he was of the house and family of David, in order to register, along with
Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child.

And it came about that while they were there, the days
were completed for her to give birth.

And she gave birth to her first-born son; and she wrapped
Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them
in the inn.

And in the same region there were some shepherds staying
out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night

And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and
the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terribly frightened.

And the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for
behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the
people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior,
who is Christ the Lord.

And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped
in cloths, and Iying in a manger.”

And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude
of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among
men with whom He is pleased.”

And it came about when the angels had gone away from them
into heaven, that the shepherds began saying to one another “Let us
go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which
the Lord has made known to us.”

And they came in haste and found their way to Mary and
Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger.

And when they had seen this, they made known the statement
which had been told them about this Child.

And all who heard it wondered at the things which were
told them by the shepherds.

But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them
in her heart.

And the shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God
for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.

Luke 2:1-20

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.