400 nativity scenes to go on display

Tiny pewter figurines sparkle under the display lights while a choir sings carols in the background. Figures of the nativity, tall, tiny, wood, stone, will stand on table after table.

These will be the sights at the nativity scene collection display in Moscow, Dec. 8 through Dec. 12. For the second year, more than 400 nativity scenes from around the world will line the rooms of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints building in Moscow.

The display at 1657 S. Blaine Street will be open Dec. 10, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., and Dec. 12, noon to 9 p.m.

Visitors can gaze on soapstone sets from Kenya, metal sets from Afghanistan, fishbone sets from Mexico and a host of other mediums used to make the intricate scenes.

"I always say I'm not going to buy anymore. Then I see a shepherd or the wise man or the face of Mary. They'll have some face that I just love and I buy the set," said organizer and church member Peg Applonie, who will bring about 100 nativity scenes from her life-long collection which total more than 230 nativity sets from around the world.

Members from the LDS churches in Colfax, Pullman, Moscow and Troy will participate in the event. Choirs from different churches will participate.

"Last year, we had nativities from the dollar store to carved olive wood from Bethlehem," display organizer Susan Martin of Colfax said.

Martin said they hope the nativity event will bring the focus of Christmas back to the birth of Jesus. Other churches of different denominations are sending members to help out, Martin said. Because of this, she hopes the event will promote unity and peace between the LDS church and other denominations.

"I think it could create a common ground rather than division," said Martin.

More than 1,900 people visited the church last year to see the nativity scenes.

The public can enter their own nativity scene Dec. 3, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Moscow church. Last year's show featured 200 of Applonies' sets and most of the rest of the scenes came from church members.

Choirs will be singing carols. The lights are dimmed in some of the rooms, allowing the public to witness the glow of some of the nativity scenes.

"It just has a very reverent feel,"Martin said.

Applonie said she began her collection 30 years ago. Each time a friend or one of her children travels abroad, she asks them to bring back a set. She has sets from Russia, England, Afghanistan, Zambia, Korea and other countries.