Photo from the collections of the Sioux City Public Museum, used by permission for publicity of the Dakotas Conference Historical Society.

Dr. Bruce Forbes, Professor Emeritus of Religious Studies, Morningside University, Sioux City, Iowa, will speak on the history of Christmas Nativity scenes at McCabe United Methodist Church in Bismarck, North Dakota, on Wednesday, June 9, at 5:30 p.m. He is a retired clergy member of the Dakotas Annual Conference.

His talk will be a part of the annual meal of the Dakotas United Methodist Historical Society.  All are welcome.  When you register for annual conference here, please select the Historical Society dinner.  The price of the meal is $17.  If you’ve already registered, you can return to the registration site and “modify” your registration to include the dinner.  Deadline for registration is May 23.

The home nativity scene is a common feature in many of our Christmas observances, including childhood memories, but knowledge of its history and its cultural variations contains many surprises.

Dr. Bruce Forbes

Forbes, the author of Christmas: A Candid History, will summarize beginnings with Francis of Assisi (although sometimes exaggerated) and many developments that followed.  They include a period when the emphasis was on a crib alone instead of a scene with many characters, a European contrast between Christmas trees in the north and nativity scenes in the south, the role of Jesuits in promoting nativity scenes around the world, special innovations from Naples, Italy, commercialization, and more.   Learning about these layers of tradition can add even deeper levels of meaning to this treasured part of our Christmas celebrations. Power Point illustrations will accompany the entire presentation.

Dr. Forbes is Professor Emeritus of Religious Studies, Morningside College, now Morningside University, having taught there for 40 years, with specialties in the history of Christianity and the academic analysis of popular culture.  In addition to his Christmas book, he also is the author of America’s Favorite Holidays: Candid Histories, including chapters about Valentine’s Day, Easter, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.