The vicar of St Luke’s Mark Fraser wanted to create a modern outdoor nativity that all people could relate to – which particularly highlighted the message that Jesus Christ is with us today.
The modern equivalent of the traditional stables setting is the bus shelter, a setting in which many people have used for refuge and for waiting.
At this time before Christmas we are in a period called Advent – where we are waiting for the birth of our Saviour.
The bus shelter is a place of waiting. We also felt it was important to emphasize God’s message of inclusivity by choosing diverse characters within the bus shelter who are positioned in a way that echoes the traditional poses of the nativity.
The birth of a child is all about hope and the baby symbolises the birth of Jesus and his message of eternal life.
There are clues to the meaning of the installation with the ‘Starline Travel’ logo on the bus shelter, referencing the wise men following the star to Bethlehem. There is also the messaging board showing that the Saviour service is now due.
In this time of Covid restrictions we felt it important to take our church outside of our building and to involve people who may be passing to stop (at the bus stop) for a moment of reflection and hope for the future.
The above was written by one of the creators Ray Dunajko who worked with John Miles and Peter Wigmore to create the scene.
The nativity can viewed at St Luke’s Church in Leahurst Road in West Bridgford.
