Seeking Shelter: Beyond the Stable : University of Dayton, Ohio

After a long journey to a strange place, Mary and Joseph sought shelter — a safe place to rest and for Mary to give birth to Jesus. There was no room for them at the inn, so they laid the newborn Jesus in a feeding trough for animals.

Scripture does not mention the kind of structure in which the Holy Family found shelter in Bethlehem. Apocryphal writings suggest that Mary gave birth to Jesus in a cave and later moved to a stable.

The cave and the stable are common settings for crèches. Some traditions place the scene among ancient ruins. Artists imagine the birth of Christ in structures inspired by local architecture. Others reuse objects to stand in for the structure — like a coconut or a cheese grater.

From the Marian Library’s collection of over 3,600 Nativity sets, the crèches in this year’s Christmas exhibit, Seeking Shelter: Beyond the Stable, highlight tradition and imagination in the humble structures where Jesus first found shelter.

Visit go.udayton.edu/christmas-exhibit for hours and more details about the exhibit. Note that in addition to the University Libraries’ normal weekday hours, the exhibit will be open from noon to 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays Dec. 6-21. Bring your family and friends!

— Written by Bridget Retzloff, an assistant professor and visual resources librarian in the Marian Library.

A Nativity set made of wood with carved figures of the Holy Family, the Magi and animals in a stable made of small logs. The scene is placed on a flat red base, accented with pine cones and twigs.

While a stable is not included in scriptural accounts of Jesus’ birth, many depictions of the Nativity are placed in a shelter meant for animals. (“New Creation,” by an unknown Polish artist or maker. Birchwood and straw. Marian Library Crèche Collection.)

In a scene depicting ancient ruins, the Magi and a shepherd visit the infant Jesus, Mary and Joseph.

A 13th-century legend influenced medieval artists to depict the Nativity amongst ruins of a temple, a tradition that continues today. (“Life is Theater,” by Angela Tripi. 1992. Resin. Marian Library Crèche Collection.)

In a cave below hills and a palm tree, Jesus, Mary and Joseph are surrounded by animals and doves carrying messages on small white banners.

Sometimes the Nativity scene is depicted in a cave, influenced by Apocryphal gospels. (“French Cave Nativity Scene,” by monastic French nuns. Circa late 1800s. Wood, paper and glass. Marian Library Crèche Collection.)

Jesus, Mary and Joseph are visited by figures riding water buffalo beneath a bamboo structure and a palm tree.

Nativity artists and makers use elements of local architecture to set the scene of Jesus’ birth in a certain time and place. (“Bamboo Nativity,” by an unknown Filipino artist or maker. Bamboo. Marian Library Crèche Collection.)

‘Seeking Shelter: Beyond the Stable’