Christmas in Kirtland

These beautiful Nativities are made of traditional fabrics, glass porcelain, jewels, wood carvings, clay, and even bullet casings. Thousands of people from far and near will come to both the Historic Kirtland Visitors’ Center and the Kirtland Temple Visitors’ Center of the Church The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to view the Nativities on display.

The Kirtland Temple Visitors’ Center is located at 7809 Joseph St, Kirtland, Ohio. The Historic Kirtland Visitors’ Center is at 7800 Kirtland-Chardon Road, Kirtland. Both locations are just south of Mentor, Ohio, and near Interstate 90, which provides easy access and is set up as a visitor destination in Lake County, Ohio.

Most of the Nativities on display during the holidays are on loan or are donated by local collectors. They consist of impressive variations of the traditional mother, baby, and Joseph with the typical sheep, camels, and donkeys, but there are also not-so-traditional lions, giraffes, a hippo, a snake, and even a turtle.

Local volunteers from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and other churches work for weeks in advance of the opening to set up the displays as each of the precious crèches is cataloged, photographed, and inventoried. Each piece is accounted for in the record for the donor as we know how precious they are to the owners.

The volunteers work to get the lighting and display materials “just right” to highlight every nativity set.

The exhibit has featured unique Nativity scenes from more than 70 countries, including South Africa, Liberia, Thailand, Germany, France, Italy, Indonesia, Rwanda, China, and India. Nativity sets that have been on display were created from a variety of materials such as stained glass, bottles, broom corn, paper, straw, copper, gold leaf, olive wood, clay, brass, old oil drums, and even beeswax. Kirtland resident; Travis Buford created his set by welding nails and bolts. The Nativity scenes can be carved from exotic woods, tucked into a walnut shell, or set into a geode. Many antique Christmas cards and tree ornaments have been on display as well.

Other nativity sets displayed in the past include a scene at the end of World War II, which was given as a gift to a soldier. A tiny nesting doll nativity with a baby only the size of a kernel of rice. A set from El Salvador with the baby Jesus seemingly too large for the set, but cultural tradition is that the Christ child should always be large, as He is the center of the story. A favorite of the committee is from the Netherlands with the baby Jesus in a tiny wooden clog. Mary is standing behind baby Him with tulips in her arms, and Joseph is playing an accordion.

We continue to be amazed at the imagination and creativity of the artists who create these amazing pieces of art. Their love for and the presentation of their faith in Jesus Christ is very uplifting not only to us but to all who come to see the exhibit. We greatly appreciate the artists for being willing to share their beloved treasures with our visitors.

The annual event has received numerous awards and recognition from various organizations throughout Ohio. We have received thousands of visitors over the years as they come to celebrate the birth of Christ, the Savior of the world.