St. Patrick’s Cathedral faith came alive with joy and celebration as it hosted a live enactment of the Nativity story titled “Our Savior is Born.” Directed and narrated by the Neocatechumenal communities of St. Patrick’s Cathedral and various parishes in Pune, the event beautifully depicted the story of creation and birth from the announcement of the birth of Jesus Christ in a manger.
The evening was perfectly hosted by Hyacinth D’Costa, whose warm and engaging company added to the charm of the occasion. The picturesque cathedral backdrop, along with the heartfelt performance, created an unforgettable experience for the large crowd of parishioners and visitors who gathered to celebrate.
Reverend priests including Father Colin Hendricks – Rector, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Father Peter Colaco, Father Simon D’Souza, Father Jason Chettiar, Father John Varghese, Father Roshan Furtado and Father Rohan Gowdy graced the event.
The Live Crib displayed real animals, including camels, and depicted a real baby in a manger, bringing the sacred story to life. The evening concluded with Father Jones Varghese sharing a heartfelt message of peace, goodwill and the true essence of Christmas: love, hope and unity.
“A live crib is a great idea to attract a large crowd to see what Christmas is really about,” says Jessica Pereira, a 22-year-old member of St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Many of our non-Christian friends and colleagues wonder what the hype around Christmas is and why it matters! Because our society is preoccupied with the commercialization of Christmas with Santa and parties. Neocatechumenal communities take this initiative to prepare a live crib every year, fully expressing the true story of Christmas – the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
With a real camel and a real baby, the whole story is beautifully presented. The Live Crib helps us Christians grow in faith, reminding us that 2,000 years ago, our God was actually born. God chose to become man, humble himself, and free us from sin. In addition to the Live Crib, we also have Passion Law performing the Christmas story at St. Patrick’s Cathedral each year. The real reason our Lord was born is that He came to save us all. God wants all His children, wherever they are born, to come to Him and open themselves to God, to experience true joy, peace and love, which is the main message of Christmas.”
In Pune Camp, St. Paul Book Center offers a variety of cribs for sale for different styles and budgets. Says 53-year-old manager Saji Mathew, “This year, the store has many cribs ranging from Rs 1,500 to Rs 18,500 depending on the size and design. Due to high demand, we have stocked only fiber figurines, avoiding sand or POP figurines. Compared to last year, sales are strong, up 60% so far, which is a great sign.
He adds that many customers request customized or themed cribs, and “We also get large orders from Paris. All our materials, including figurines, are imported from London and China – none are made in India.”
Meanwhile, at Our Lady Consoler of the Afflicted Church (OLCA) in Pimpri, 27-year-old youth president Steven Swamy says, “This Christmas season, our parish has embraced the theme of snow to bring a festive and peaceful atmosphere. We are using glass figurines for the nativity scene and creating a simple and clean tabernacle to depict the birth of Jesus Christ.
Despite the modern age, we are preserving the traditional grass tent culture by incorporating natural elements like plants and growing seeds. Traditional cribs represent the humble beginnings of Jesus’ life, emphasizing the message of hope and love that symbolizes Christmas. They are also a great way to teach children about the Christmas story and its importance.
Swamy added, “The difference between traditional and modern cribs is stark. Traditional hay cribs are rustic, made of wood, and designed to hold hay for livestock, reflecting an agricultural heritage. Modern cribs, on the other hand, are more decorative, made from materials such as plastic or glass, and focus on a nativity scene with visually appealing figures of Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus, and others.
Why should you buy our membership?
You want to be the smartest in the room.
You want access to our award-winning journalism.
You don’t want to be confused and misinformed.
Choose your subscription package