‘Christmas Across Africa’

NEW HAVEN — The Knights of Columbus Museum is presenting “Christmas Across Africa,” its seventh annual crèche exhibition, until February 5. The display has nearly 100 crèches, statues and other artwork from 23 African countries and tribes, including wood and stone sculptures, Coptic icons, banana leaf Nativity scenes, polished stones and papyrus paintings.

The biblical narrative of Jesus’ birth tells of his “flight to Egypt” with his parents to escape King Herod’s attempt to kill him. So Africa was actually the Christ Child’s home for a short time, until Herod’s death.

“Christmas Across Africa” includes many carvings from both stone and wood, paintings and more traditional manger scenes with figurines of the Holy Family, shepherds, angels and kings.

The museum will host a free lecture, “My Christmas at Home in Africa,” by Yosola Sholagbade-Adeoye, on Wednesday, December 28, at 6 pm. Ms Sholagbade-Adeoye will present the lecture again on Thursday, December 29, at 1 pm.

In addition, the museum’s annual Christmas Tree Festival, which coincides with the crèche exhibition, this year features trees decorated with handmade ornaments by school children from across Connecticut reflecting the artistic traditions of African nations.

Also On View

Throughout the history of Christianity, devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary has been as vast in it expression as it has been strong in its fervor. At various occasions, popes have recognized the popularity of certain artistic images of Blessed Mother around the world and the local followings that have developed around them. As a formal acknowledgement and expression of encouragement in such devotion, the Vatican has “crowned” these images.

Through the centuries, the Vatican Museum has assembled reproductions of these images on each occasion of crowning. Many have been, or are actively being, restored.

In cooperation with the Vatican, the Knights of Columbus is presenting 70 of these Marian images in an exhibition called “Full of Grace: Crowned Madonnas from the Vatican Basilica.” The collections presents both a history of the practice as well a chronicle of the restoration process.

The museum, located at 1 State Street in New Haven, is open daily 10 am to 5 pm (though closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day). Admission and parking are free. For additional information, call 203-865-0400 or visit KofCMuseum.org.