Handmade outdoor Nativity stable adds to beauty of Christmas for Hightstown parish
December 30, 2023 at 12:55 p.m.
Anyone who has passed by the side of St. Anthony of Padua Church that faces Route 33 in Hightstown during the Advent and Christmas seasons since 2019 will likely notice the large Nativity scene that’s prominently displayed on the lawn.
What they probably don’t realize is that the stable is the creative handiwork of two men who simply wanted to make the Christmas story available for all to see.
Though a Nativity scene had always been set up inside the church, “we didn’t have an outdoor Nativity scene, and we thought it would be nice to have one,” explained Philip Murray, the parish plant manager.
Once they received the OK from Father Oscar Sumanga, who had just arrived as the parish's new pastor at the time, Murray and Sebasto got to work. They purchased the necessary materials to build the stable, and worked out logistics, such as making sure the height and width would sufficiently accommodate the various figures. Also, electrical power was added so that the inside of the stable could be lit and the statues could be seen. Another lighting feature was the two “oil lamp” looking fixtures with flickering light bulbs in them.
“We tried our best to have it look like an original Nativity scene with hay, the animals and of course Jesus, Mary and Joseph,” Murray said.
“This was a new feature for the parish,” Murray said, noting the Nativity complements the festive lighting of a 75-foot evergreen tree in front of the church.
Four years later, the Nativity remains a prominent Christmas feature, and “many parishioners stop and take pictures, selfies, and family shots in front of the nativity scene," Murray said. He noted that the lighting timers have been adjusted so that the Nativity is lit daily from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m., as well as in the morning from 4 a.m. to 7 a.m.
“We have a great sense of pride with this Nativity scene as it is something that will be here long after us," Murray said.
Phil Murray makes sure the outdoor Nativity is all set for Christmas 2023. Hal Brown photo
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Anyone who has passed by the side of St. Anthony of Padua Church that faces Route 33 in Hightstown during the Advent and Christmas seasons since 2019 will likely notice the large Nativity scene that’s prominently displayed on the lawn.
What they probably don’t realize is that the stable is the creative handiwork of two men who simply wanted to make the Christmas story available for all to see.
Though a Nativity scene had always been set up inside the church, “we didn’t have an outdoor Nativity scene, and we thought it would be nice to have one,” explained Philip Murray, the parish plant manager.
Once they received the OK from Father Oscar Sumanga, who had just arrived as the parish's new pastor at the time, Murray and Sebasto got to work. They purchased the necessary materials to build the stable, and worked out logistics, such as making sure the height and width would sufficiently accommodate the various figures. Also, electrical power was added so that the inside of the stable could be lit and the statues could be seen. Another lighting feature was the two “oil lamp” looking fixtures with flickering light bulbs in them.
“We tried our best to have it look like an original Nativity scene with hay, the animals and of course Jesus, Mary and Joseph,” Murray said.
“This was a new feature for the parish,” Murray said, noting the Nativity complements the festive lighting of a 75-foot evergreen tree in front of the church.
Four years later, the Nativity remains a prominent Christmas feature, and “many parishioners stop and take pictures, selfies, and family shots in front of the nativity scene," Murray said. He noted that the lighting timers have been adjusted so that the Nativity is lit daily from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m., as well as in the morning from 4 a.m. to 7 a.m.
“We have a great sense of pride with this Nativity scene as it is something that will be here long after us," Murray said.
Phil Murray makes sure the outdoor Nativity is all set for Christmas 2023. Hal Brown photo