excerpts from the current issue

THE BOOK OF HOURS: 300 YEARS ON THE BEST SELLER LIST

The splendid Book of Hours given to Felipe II highlighted the importance of that text as an elaborate ceremonial gift to one of high station, especially one as religious as this King of Spain. Between the mid-thirteenth century and the mid-sixteenth century, more Books of Hours were produced by hand and by press than even the Bible. At the heart of the book’s popularity was the great devotion during that period to the Virgin Mary.

Treasuring a Favorite Nativity
by William Smith

For years I could not pick my favorite Nativity as my choice changed as our collection grew. Now there is no question as to which is my favorite.

Christmas gift giving had been a problem in our household, and somehow restaurant gift cards had become the gift of choice. Secretly, I sensed that the givers knew that such a gift would generate an invitation to join in the meal so the gift would be enjoyed by all. But Christmas 2004 was different.

CELEBRATING THE CRECHE WITH CHILDREN
by Joanne Stevens

It is the tradition in my family to celebrate the holiday on Christmas Eve. My husband and I have continued this tradition. Each year, we gather at our home to have dinner and open gifts. With the addition of a niece and nephew, I wanted to make the holiday more meaningful to them and not just an opportunity to receive gifts.

Each year, I put out 25 to 30 creches. Of course, the new little members may not play with those. We needed a plan.

Sculpture Highlights the Miracle of the Incarnation
>by Johann G. Roten, S.M

We named the sculpture Mirror of Hope to convey the Christian story as a history of hope and redemption. It is a message that gives ultimate meaning to our personal history and to that of human existence.

While the Christian message of redemption tells us that salvation occurs when victory over evils such as death, war, loss, sickness, and injustice is achieved, a far more important aspect deals with the restoration of our God-likeness. Thus, redemption is, in reality, a double movement: the descending movement of God’s powerful goodness overcoming evil, and the ascending movement of the human toward God-like stature. In Mirror of Hope’s triangular shape, typically called a mountain of salvation, artist Kevin Hanna has abundantly documented this double movement of redemption.

ART OF THE CRECHE
A Book by James L. Govan

Art of the Creche, the long awaited book by James L. Govan, has arrived and what a winner it is. This is a handsome 208-page, full color, hard cover book worthy to be prominently displayed in your office or living room, and on top of that, to be read with great pleasure.

The Govan Family collection consists of more than 450 creches from over 100 countries. Art of the Creche shows 100 of them from about 70 countries. Govan has dedicated the book to his late wife, Emilia, who "was an avid partner in building [the family’s] collection of creches." Collecting creches as a spiritual and artistic expression was a joy that both shared during a large part of their married life.