As the bells tolled from First Lutheran Church at noon on Thursday, an ecumenical group of local bishops and denominational leaders called The Christian Leaders Fellowship took their places.
They then led a prayer service at the annual dedication of the Pittsburgh Crèche located in front of U.S. Steel Tower on Grant Street, Downtown.
Pittsburgh has the only authorized replica of the nativity scene that St. John Paul II commissioned for the Vatican.
Through light snow and drizzle, they sang “Joy to the World” and “O Come, All Ye Faithful.”
“It stands as a powerful reminder to us of what this season is all about, mainly that Jesus is our savior, our light,” said Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh Bishop David Zubik. “It is so good for us to be here to stand together in the middle of our city around an image of hope, mercy and peace. In the midst of holiday sights and sounds, we want to recall that the heart of this season is the coming into the world of God’s only son. Our city needs this witness to peace and goodwill. We pray fervently that all visitors will be filled with hope, joy and love of neighbor and carry it with them throughout the coming year.”
Zubik said it has always been important to have all Christian religions represented. They all work together during the year closely on various projects and happenings, he said, and the blessing of the nativity is one of those collaborations.
“The participants in that first Christmas came to hear the wondrous message — this child is for all people,” said David Ackerman, minister for Penn West Conference of the United Church of Christ in Greensburg.
Ackerman said it’s always important to gather for the blessing, but it’s more so now in the United States because of the division. This is a place where people can come together and offer a message of peace and a message of hope, he said.
“It is a tremendous blessing for us to be ambassadors of healing and hope in our world,” Ackerman said.
Claire Zugec of Moon brought three of her five children to the blessing of the Creche.
“Our faith is an important part of our family,” said Zugec. “We like to start off the season celebrating our Lord and the true meaning of Christmas.”
Wearing her grandmother’s red coat, the Rev. Liddy Barlow, executive minister of Christian Associates of Southwest PA, said this is a wonderful collaboration.
“We work together all the time and have wonderful working relationships,” she said. “But this is an opportunity for the city to see us publicly working together.”
The blessing service is about the baby Jesus, said the Rev. Brian Evans, who is senior pastor at First Lutheran Church located across the street on Grant Street.
“The creche is an essential part of our faith,” Evans said. “During the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, this great symbol reminds us of our faith. Being located across the street, when we have Christmas liturgy we walk across to the creche and pray.”
The creche was built by John Edkins of J.E. Scenic, a set rental and set construction facility, who collaborated with Pittsburgh architect Lou Astorino. Some pieces were made in Rome. The people and animals each weigh about 10 pounds and are all anchored to the floor.
Clothing for the figures has been designed, sewn and maintained by two local communities of religious women — Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth and Sisters of the Holy Spirit. A group of volunteers joined the sisters in preparing the clothing and dressing the figures for the display.
Zubik thanked everyone for coming. Then, the bells tolled again.
The crèche will remain open for viewing 24 hours daily through Jan. 7.