The stage for the nativity scene is derived from the neogothic world of this church: the canopy (ciborium) above the high altar with the tabernacle, the place of Christ’s presence in the bread of the Eucharist.
It is the neogothic version of the ‘holy of the holiest’ in the temple, traditionally the dwell-ing of the physical presence of God. It is flamboyantly deco-rated with countless pinnacles and elements pointing towards heaven.
The familiar image of the Holy Family, taking the first child in-to the folds of a simple family, is placed in a surrounding conveying the destiny of the Child: the palace of the eternal King, with a heavenly canopy surrounded by angels.
High above the Lamb of God is visible, a lamb with a cut open flank from which blood flows into a chalice: unmistakably the image of Christ giving His life to the community of believers. The lamb is decorated with a small flag: the symbol of the triumphant resurrection.
The angels carry banderoles with texts taken from the Old Testament:
‘The Lord God amongst you, the strong, He will rescue”,
“My dwelling place will be with them”,
“I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love”.
The sumptuous neogothic ornamentation is crowned by a simple mission cross: the destiny of the Child that came to us to pave the way to eternal love.
