HEALING AND HOPE

St. Maron Maronite Church

The special manger scene made a lasting memory of what Christmas means.

By LINDA M. LINONIS VINDICATOR RELIGION EDITOR

Helping people hold onto the spirit of Christmas in their hearts — the hope brought by the Christ Child — was a goal of the Rev. Gary George.

“I wanted to do something special ... and focus on healing because many families [in the church] are affected by cancer,” said the pastor of St. Maron Maronite Church in Youngstown. A special nine-day novena with prayers about healing took place before Christmas.

Father Gary said he also felt a visual representation of Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus, was important. “The idea was to focus on Bethlehem, which means the house of bread,” he said.

A large manger scene was the result. It was built and arranged by long-time church members, Camille and Lucy Chamoun; Pierre Daniel, a brother-in-law; and Tony Zohzogy of Lebanon, who visited the Chamoun family for the Christmas season. “Tony wanted the manger to be a gift to the Chamoun family and all the families of the church.”

“Every Sunday, we gather to the altar to share in the bread of life,” Father Gary said.

He said he wanted to emphasize the true meaning of Christmas and the birth of Jesus and minimize the commercial side. “Gifts that we need can’t be bought at a mall,” Father Gary said. He noted he especially wanted children of the church to anticipate Jesus’ birth.

“Those real gifts will contribute to healing,” he said, noting that the novena and manger were especially special to families who have children suffering from illnesses.

The manger, which takes up the whole altar at the church, is a beautiful sight to behold. Father Gary said the manger will be up a while longer this month, admitting he was reluctant to dismantle it. “I’ve spent a lot of time in here ... it’s a been a place of prayer,” Father Gary said, even more so than a place for Mass and prayers. “People spend time here after Mass ... they were reluctant to leave ... they were excited about it.”

And more than that, “something awesome happened,” he said. “God is among our people and given us tremendous gifts.” Notably, one person who had been diagnosed with cancer now appears to be in remission. “This was a powerful experience as a priest,” Father Gary said.

As you sit and take in the scene of the manger, you almost expect an angel, baby Jesus or a lamb to move. All those who have viewed the manger scene have be moved emotionally, Father Gary said.

The manger itself was constructed from downed trees in the woods behind the church. Brown paper, used in papier- m ¢ch fashion, forms the roof and back of the manger. White lights give a glowing effect to branches on either side of the manger and on top of it and also illuminate the inside of the manger. A star in the center represents the star that the wise men followed.

Father Gary said the church already had wonderful figures of Jesus, Mary, Joseph, the three kings and animals. They bought statues of angels.

Cardinals, representing the state bird of Ohio, are perched in the trees. White doves, representing Jesus, also are part of the manger.

“The doves also represent innocence ... and are for families who have lost children,” Father Gary said.

A scene on the side of the manger recalls Joseph’s work as a carpenter. And a pot of a meal cooking relays the idea of daily life that Jesus and his family experienced. Ceramic houses dotting a small hillside by the manger contribute to the idea of the village of Bethlehem.

Father Gary said he hoped the memory of the manger lingers in people’s hearts and the true meaning of Christmas is part of their lives year-round.