Australian Nativity Scene - 2017

The display opens to public from
• Time: 11-Dec-17 to 12-Jan-18.
• "Recommend visits preferably by prior appointments"
• Viewing also available on week days and weekends after the normal mass times (NOTE: Mass duration is approximately an hour)
• Mass times: week days at 9.15 am (Tuesday – Friday); Saturday 6.30 pm; Sunday 8.30 am, 10.30 am, 5.30pm
• For appointments, contact Wilson on 0428 927 110 or Parish office on 9795 6217
• Website: http://www.australiannativityscene.org/

Wilson Fernandez the creator and artist at St. Elizabeth's Parish has been creating the nativity crib scenes to capture the wonder and essence of Christmas & the birth place of baby Jesus for several years. In 2013, the event marked the 10th anniversary and was a moment of a major milestone since inception.

Over the years, the traditional Australian Nativity Scene has drawn crowd from all over & all walks of life. The Nativity Scene has not only grown in display size but the attention to details is worth noting.
Wilson uses various natural material like soils, stones, clay, straw, plants and barks to give the nativity scene the most traditional and authentic impression of being in Bethlehem of the Christ era. He artistically creates the village and township with handmade huts, stables, buildings, bridges, palaces, houses and temples surrounded with mountains, rocks, lakes and rivers etc. The nativity scene is special because it has a theme each week that tells the Christmas story.

The week 1 display starts with the scene of a normal lifestyle that is artistically created to show the township with villagers, traders, travellers, farmers, animals etc. followed by the entry of Mary and Joseph in to Bethlehem, no room at the Inn but manage to stay in a stable, birth of Jesus Christ, angel announces good news, shepherds visit the manger, three wise men visit Baby Jesus & in the last week, the holy family flees to Egypt.

Wilson's work is regarded as Australia's largest & best nativity scene by the community, visitors, and parishioners of Melbourne and other Archdioceses. So, come along with your family and friends to view the Traditional Nativity Scene at St. Elizabeth's Parish.