The NATIVITY at St MARY'S CATHEDRAL Sydney Australia

The NATIVITY

2006 And the outdoor Nativity is already erected in Cathedral Square. It hardly seems possible that a full year has passed and it is time to celebrate the birth of Christ again. The passing of time reminds us of the shortness of life and the importance of this timeless story to all of us.

This site offers many story's. There is the story of Christmas, the most important story of all. There is also the story of the journey of the making of the artwork and other background information that might be of interest.

To the left are the various photo albums. To the right a message from the Cardinal, the list of posts, and the program of celebrations both in the Square and in the Cathedral during the Christmas season. And each post has a comments link where you are invited to leave your comments. And please e-mail this website address to your friends, we want the whole world to hear the message of the birth of Christ.

The CHRISTMAS STORY

Augustus Ceasar commanded the first census so that he would know about all his domains. All males had to go to their hometown to be counted. Joseph was a carpenter in Nazareth, but was born in Bethlehem, so he took Mary, his betrothed with him. When they arrived there was no room in the Inn, so they had to stay in a manger with the animals.

During the night, baby Jesus was born.

The shepherds were told of the birth by an angel above them who said "Glory to God in the highest Heaven, and on Earth peace for those he favours." So the shepherds brought gifts for baby Jesus.

From the east came three wise men who had followed a star which rested above Bethlehem to show the way. When they found the newborn and his family they kneeled down and offered gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh.
(retold from Luke 2: 1-20 and the story of the magi is from Mathew)

A CHRISTMAS TREE and FLOWERS in CATHEDRAL SQUARE

The Council of the City of Sydney has created a beautiful display of boxed flowers in various designs with themes like 'Christmas Pudding' and 'Christmas Cracker' laid out along the piazza. The central planting surrounds a beautiful 6 metre high Christmas Tree. Complimentary to the Nativity Scene, it makes the entire square into a spectacular place for families to stroll and enjoy the best of Sydney's Christmas in summer at Cathedral Square.

Click on image to enlarge. Photo © by Tony Johansen

About ST MARY'S CATHEDRAL

St Mary's Cathedral stands on the site of the first Catholic Chapel in Australia. The first Cathedral, started in 1821 burned down, a small portion remains on the east side of the current Cathedral which was started in 1865 was designed by William Wardell in a style that is inpired by the best features of English and French Cathedrals of the 13th century. The front with it's twin spires that soar 75 metres is particularly reminiscent of the French geometric Gothic of that period, whereas from the side it has a more English look.

'Favourite features' of this great and beautiful building include the stunning terrazzo marble floors of the crypt  and the 14 bells of the central tower heard and loved throughout central Sydney.

The Cathedral, like it's medieval forebears is a 'work in progress' and it is possible to find around the building 'unfinished portions'. The most recent 'additions' were the south spires built in 1998-2000 to the original 135 year old drawings of Wardell.

As the seat of the Archbishop of Sydney, it lives as an important part of the spiritual and cultural life of Sydney and the nation.

The MAKING OF our NATIVITY

It seems difficult to believe now that not long ago the spectacular artwork of the Nativity in Cathedral Square was paint in tubes and piles of wood and steel and existed largely in the dreams of those involved.

It was instigated by Cardinal George Pell, Archbishop of Sydney early in 2005. He inspired the creation of a very special crib worked on with enthusiasm by many and overseen by project manager Ralph Morris, and the Nativity Committee. Many of the people involved, and some photographs from the construction period can be found in the photo albums at left.

It was both a pleasure and an honour to work on this special project. Thank you to all concerned. The greatest reward was on the first day when a little girl, all excited was showing her mother all the details she was discovering in that raptuous way that young children have. She especially loved the little bit of grass the sheep is eating, and of course she told all present which figure was the one of baby Jesus. Her smiles and discovery made it plain just how important this crib is for all of Sydney.

ARTISTRY and EXCELLENCE

The artistic excellence in this Nativity is due to two studios on opposite sides of the Earth, Demetz in Italy, and Tony Johansen in Sydney.

The family business of Demetz has it's origin in the 19th century Italian  Alps. They were fine wood carvers who settled where the Linden tree grows, as that is the best wood for carving. Four generations and 10,000 sculptures later they are still making the finest ecclesiastical sculpture at their studio near the Alps.

They made a risen Christ sculpture that is the largest such sculpture ever made at 9 metres x 6 metres. and is in the Basilica of Colle Don Bosco near Turin.

The beautiful subtlety of their figures can be seen in some of the Photo album photos at left. The figures you see were made especially for this outdoor Nativity in Sydney, and is the first time Demetz Nativity figures have been placed in an outdoor summer setting.

Tony Johansen created the artistry of the 'new dawn' paintings and the dramatic lighting seen to advantage at night.
Innocence' which depicts Adam at the time of the fall has been exhibited in the Art Gallery of NSW during the Wynne Prize exhibition. Tony's work encompasses a wide range of realistic figures from mythological reinterpretations to portraits.

Lately his attention has been directed more and more at online artistry and the new cyber world opening up. On the other hand he appreciates the opportunity to work for the Church like his Renaissance heroes. Two of Tony's sons attend the Cathedral College.

'Icarus' and a self portrait are pictured. Photos of the Nativity paintings and explanations of the meanings are found in the post below.  More of Tony's work can be found at www.tonyjohansen.com

CHRISTMAS POEMS

CHRISTMAS
by William Shakespeare   
(Hamlet - Act  1, Scene 1.)

Some  say that ever 'gainst the season comes,
Wherein our Saviour's birth is celebrated,
The bird of dawning singeth all night long;
And then, they say, no spirit dare stir abroad;
The nights are wholesome; then no planets strike,
No fairy takes, or witch hath power to charm,
So hallow'd and so gracious is that time.

CHRISTMAS BELLS
by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along
The unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Till, ringing, singing on its way
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime,
A chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Then from each black, accursed mouth
The cannon thundered in the South,
And with the sound
The Carols drowned
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And in despair I bowed my head;
‘There is no peace on earth,’ I said;
‘For hate is strong,
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!’

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
‘God is not dead; nor doth he sleep!
The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men!’

For CHILDREN

Fun things to do and find while visiting the Nativity with your family or friends. We include hints for helping younger children. We recommend highlighting this section and printing it to take with you when taking your children to see the Nativity. Please enjoy.

WHERE'S THE BROKEN STONE?
Baby Jesus was born into the Jewish culture. The traditional Jews believed that only God could make things perfectly, so they always made an imperfection on purpose. We did that here by making a stone with a broken corner. Can you find it? (Hint, it is near the one who holds a gift of fruit)

WHICH IS THE GIFT REPRESENTING PEACE?
One of the people bearing gifts for baby Jesus has a gift that represents peace. Which gift is that? (Hint, you will find the answer if you can finish this rhyme:

A shepherds gift is brought with love,
Neither fruit nor lamb, but a little ........?)

WHERE IS GODS SPECIAL MESSENGER?
God sent a special messenger to the shepherds to tell them about the birth of Jesus. Can you find the one who is that messenger? (Hint, look up)

HOW MANY OLIVE GROVES ARE THERE?
In palestine many people kept Olive trees behind a stone wall next to their house. In the painting there some like that. Can you find them and count how many there are? (Hint there are the same number as there are water containers)

THE MIRACLE OF WATER TO WINE.
The first miracle made by Jesus was to make wine out of water. In the painting there are 3 containers representing that miracle to come.Can you name them? Can you find them and count how many there are? (Hint, there are the same number as there are Olive groves)

THE INN.
Can you find the Inn? Is the door open or closed? Do you think it was fair not to let Joseph and Mary in?

THE HOLY FAMILY.
Do you think baby Jesus looks happy? Do you think he is talking to His Father? What is Joseph doing? And what is Mary doing?

THE ANIMALS.
How many animals are there? Do you think they think something wonderful has happened? Is there one animal that hasn't noticed yet? (Hint, she may be distracted by some grass)

MEANINGS and SYMBOLS in ST MARY'S NATIVITY SCENE

This Nativity has been created in the long tradition of story telling and special symbols that started with St Francis when he made the first Nativity scenes hundreds of years ago.

The traditional grouping of Wise Men and Farm Folk is symbolic of the universal nature of Chritianity and emphasising the democratic reaching out to all people without prejudices.

The shepherds carry the richness of the Earth's harvest, and the first to arrive carries a dove, the symbol for peace. The angel in bringing the message of the birth to the shepherds is symbolic of the way God is reaching out to all mankind with a message of peace. The wise men are traditionally Kings who symbolise how wealth and wisdom with gifts of riches come to kneel before a greater King. Baby Jesus in a humble crib is at the very centre, as He is at the centre of life today.

The background paintings represent the birth with the symbol of a new dawn. It is both the birth of Christ as a man, and the birth of Christianity. As the sun rises over Bethlehem in the centre, there are two scenes on either side.

To the left are symbols of the birth of Jesus and his life on Earth to come. The Inn has closed doors. At the back of the Manger are 3 water containers. They represent the first miracle which was water to wine. The hill behind the Inn represents the sermon on the Mount.

The painting on the right represents the birth of the Christianity. There is a steeple on the wall, but no cross yet, as Jesus is only just born, however in contrast to the Inn, the door is open. This painting is based on the real Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, and that Church has a very small door so that it is not possible to enter that hallowed place without ones head bowed. In the foreground is a thorn bush, symbolic of the crucifiction that lays in the future. The hill could be representative then of Calvary, but that is for the future.

Incidentally, The Inn is also based on a real building, the remains of an actual Roman period Inn, complete with wall for the olive trees. The Inn that Mary and Joseph sought shelter in may well have looked much like this.

The TRUE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS

As the colour of Christmas decorations and festivities accelerate in December it is easy to become disillusioned by inappropriate commercialism and endless party's. Yet for 2005 years one fact has remained constant at all times. Christmas is simply the celebration of the birth of Jesus. Births happen all the time, yet this one was to change the world forever. The Nativity at Cathedral Square is no more than a reminder of a momentous birth and what that means for all of us. Peace be with you.

MESSAGES Of PEACE

The birth of Christ was the most significant message from God since Genesis. At this hallowed hour the message was a simple one of redemption, and the peace that follows. As this 2005th Christmas approaches, this Nativity is a reminder of the importance of that. By itself the Nativity scene has no power, but the belief in the birth of Christ has the power to move the Earth.

One of the most beautiful elements of the Christmas season is the way people are moved to express a desire for peace and goodwill for all humanity. This blog based web site has the ability to record your Christmas messages. Simply click on the comments link below any of the main posts. You will need to leave your name or a nickname (or 'anonymous'). inserting your email address is also required although it is not published or retained. You do not need to log in or leave a URL as they are optional. We love to read your messages, and so does eveyone else coming to the site.

Have a safe and merry Christmas, and peace for you and your loved ones.