AUSTRALIA : 3-D POP-UP OUTDOOR NATIVITY


ARCHDIOCESE OF MELBOURNE REPORT
Meaning of Christmas alive in the heart of Melbourne

Tuesday 4 December 2012

By Fiona Basile
Melbourne’s City Square on the corner of Swanston and Collins Street has been transformed into a ‘Christmas Square’ featuring a 3D pop-up Nativity scene, an interactive digital Nativity story book and a Nativity word wall ensuring onlookers remember the traditional and true meaning of Christmas.

View gallery

Rev. James Barr of the Welsh church led the opening and blessing of the Nativity scene, story book and word wall last Friday on behalf of Melbourne City Churches in Action (MCCIA) and the City of Melbourne. Rev. Barr is the Convenor of MCCIA which is an ecumenical organisation with representatives from the 16 churches in the inner city of Melbourne.
 
According to City of Melbourne’s website, City Square is “the centrepiece of Melbourne's Christmas decorations program”. The square has been “transformed into a magical wonderland ... Visitors can find Rudolph and his reindeer friends amongst the hedge maze, view a traditional nativity scene and an interactive story book, plus visit Santa in his house. By night experience daily sound and light shows, bringing a very special atmosphere to the city.”

"The dedication is to acknowledge the religious aspect of Christmas and recall the Christian celebration of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth.” The ceremony was marked by a choir singing traditional carols.
 
Christmas Square is an outdoor free event for people of all ages. It is accessible daily from 10am to 10pm, until 3 January 2013.

And while enjoying Christmas Square with the family, pop across the road to Melbourne Town Hall’s City Gallery, where award-winning pastry chefs have created a Gingerbread Village for public display. The entire village has been built out of gingerbread and includes popular iconic Melbourne landmarks such as the Melbourne Town Hall, the Melbourne Cricket Ground and Luna Park.
 
Entry to the Gingerbread Village is free. Its open daily from 9am-5pm and is located at City Gallery in Melbourne Town Hall, 90-110 Swanston Street.


SHARED FROM ARCHDIOCESE OF MELBOURNE 

Comments