The Ave Herald

“I think it’s beautiful that there is so much diversity to represent all over the world,” said Lynne Furtado, who works in Beckner Jewlery. "I think they're beautiful," remarked co-worker Sandra Rogers. (right, the display at Beckner's)

“I really really really like it ,” AMU student Lina Williams said. “It’s also a beautiful expression of what Ave Maria really is -- it’s Mary’s school. They don’t just celebrate the materialistic side of Christmas.”

The variety of nativity scenes has proven popular with visitors to Ave Maria as well. “The visitors are very excited to see the crèches,” said resident  Don Imbus, who was volunteering at the Ave Maria Gallery and History Exhibit, where crèches are ondisplay that were donated by Naples residents Isabelle and Ray Staffeldt.

Crèches in the other stores and businesses in the Ave Maria town center were donated by university founder Tom Monaghan, who collected them over several decades.  They are on display until Feb. 28.

(Left, a display at The Secret Ingredient. Below, at By Way of the Family.)

Click here for Ave Maria University Benefactors display International Perspective on Christmas by Clare Guerrero

(photos by AnnaMarie Sanderson)