Carols in the courtyard

The centuries-long tradition of blending the Christmas spirit into song is captured in a new exhibit from UD's Marian Library. Joy to the World features a collection of Nativity sets paired with Christmas carols to help tell the story of Jesus’ birth.

“We invite the community to enjoy the variety of Nativities pulled from our 3,600-set collection and keep the tradition of the crèche alive for new generations,” said Kayla Harris, director of the Marian Library.

One featured set is the Courtyard Nativity. Located on the first floor of Roesch Library in the Rose Gallery, this large-scale crèche is laid out on a table, accompanied by an elaborate courtyard setting built by volunteers and meant to mimic the public performances of medieval mystery plays.

The plays were originally used by the clergy at a time when many were unable to read. Acting as visual teaching tools, these performances allowed many to see Biblical events brought to life. As the shows evolved, professional troupes instead began to perform them in public spaces like courtyards.

The plays first included musical interludes between scenes, but later in the 13th or 14th century the carols were woven into the performances themselves. Knowing this, the Courtyard Nativity’s paired song, “The Cherry Tree Carol,” becomes a relevant selection.

This medieval ballad comes from a scene in the 15th-century Coventry Mystery Plays, illustrating Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem, specifically when Mary asks Joseph to stop and pick a cherry for her. Joseph declines in a tempestuous outburst, insisting she asks God, her child’s true father, to do it instead. Miraculously, the cherry tree bows to Mary, beckoning her to pick the fruit herself.

The timely tale compliments the setup of the Courtyard Nativity scene, where surrounded by the curated ambiance, visitors will be transported to a time where Biblical stories could be watched and enjoyed by all.

This Nativity set is a gift courtesy of Elisabeth Van Mullenkom, a collector of Christmas memorabilia and long-time contributor to the Marian Library’s collection.

“This exhibit reinforces the strong connection between Mary, the mother of Jesus, and Christmas, the celebration of Jesus' birth,” said Bridget Retzloff, the visual resource librarian and curator of the exhibit. “Mary and her response to God's call made Christmas — and eventually salvation — possible.”

“Mary and her response to God’s call made Christmas — and eventually salvation — possible.”

The Courtyard Nativity is one of many crèches on display in Roesch Library for visitors to peruse through Jan. 17. Visit the Christmas exhibit homepage for hours and to learn more about the Marian Library’s collection of Nativity sets. The library’s  audio guide playlist is also available for those wanting to further immerse themselves into this holiday tradition.

“We invite all visitors to think about their own favorite holiday traditions and how music or art make them meaningful,” said Retzloff. 

The Joy to the World exhibit is a must-see this holiday season, because nothing says Christmas quite like a carol. 

all photos courtesy Marian Library