Mary Alice Sargent, a Lakeside resident since 1992, has kept herself active since she’s lived here. The retired school teacher, who hails originally from Iowa, was the chairperson of the Lake Chapala Society Education Committee for nine years and still takes her place on the board of directors. She’s active as a volunteer in several organizations and is often the “go-to” person when it comes to getting things done. This time of year, however, Sargent turns her attention to her impressive collection of nacimientos (nativity scenes).
She has put her collection on public display several times over the years, usually in her own home. This year the 236 mementos of the Holy Family and the birth of Jesus will be set up at Lakeside Presbyterian Church from Wednesday, December 7 to December 14 from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. for what she insists will be the last time on public display. She talked about her passion and her collection with Jeanne Chaussee this week.
Two hundred and thirty-six is a large number of manger scenes. Have you been collecting them long?
Not as long as you might think. I actually didn’t start the collection until 1998, so it’s not a life-long hobby.
What got you started?
I was shopping in Tonala one day and came across one that really caught my eye. It was a Huichol grouping done in the style with the colored beads set in beeswax. It was so colorful and the characters so whimsical … The problem was that I had been shopping all day and didn’t have the pesos to purchase it that day. I told the vendor that I would be back to buy it. It took me a while. That was in March and I didn’t return until October; but when I did, there it was! I knew it would be there. I had to have it. That started the whole thing. I started looking for more when I was traveling. Of course, when friends and family find out that you are interested in something, they tend to give them to you for special occasions.
Are all of them from Tonala?
No but the majority of them are from Mexico. I do have them also from the United States, Canada, Guatemala, Israel, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Ireland, France, Peru, Bolivia, Russia, El Salvador, Italy, Scotland, New Zealand and South Africa.
Are there big differences in the concept of the nativity scenes in various places?
Yes. For instance, the ones from Michoacan might have more or different characters than those from Jalisco and the ones in the United States probably won’t have the devil but will probably have all three kings. Some cultures see the angel as more important than the kings and the animals vary, as well. The Latin American nativity scenes are much more elaborate than the ones we saw in the United States when we were growing up. Though I don’t usually display them that way, the Latin American sets are usually displayed in a model village setting and they are made to be added to each year. Most of my scenes range from the three pieces of the Holy Family to as many as nine or 11 pieces. They also vary in size. The smallest has the Holy Family, the manger, an ox, a horse and the Baby Jesus but the figures are not as big as watermelon seeds, the largest has figures about two feet tall.
What kind of materials are these nativity scenes made from?
I have scenes made from clay, Waterford crystal, Belgian lace, corn husks, papier mache, burlap, wood, soap, pewter, copper and more.
Your manger scenes, no matter how small, have got to take up a lot of space. What do you do with them?
A few of them are on display in my living room all the time. For instance, the Huichol piece that started the whole thing has to be kept at a certain temperature because of the beeswax. It could melt. The Waterford group is kept out all the time, as well, along with some others. One is the tiniest one. It has a story. I had just taken down my display several years ago when I found an envelope in my mailbox at LCS. These precious tiny pieces were all that was in the envelope. I have no idea who gave them to me; but it was such a special thing to do. The majority of the pieces, though, are inventoried, listed and packed away in storage. I rent storage space to hold them. When they are re-packed after public viewing, they all have to go back into their own bags or boxes. Each one is accounted for. But I’m going to start downsizing now. Instead of collecting, I’ll be slowing giving them away, probably mostly to my family and close friends.
Have you put them on display every Christmas?
Until recently. There have gotten to be so many that it’s been difficult to find a space that could display them properly. I certainly don’t want to put them out stacked on top of one another.
What do you think the fascination is with manger scenes? For years they were put up in every small town in the United States and many people still erect them in their gardens during the holidays.
I’m not really sure and I’m not really sure what their fascination is for me. It could be religious to a certain extent but the ones I choose seem to have some special connection to me. I can look at one and not be interested but become fascinated with the next one.
All of these manger scenes are special to you; but if you had to choose a favorite, which one would it be?
There are two, I guess. The first would be the Huichol group that started it – just because it waited so long for me to get back and purchase it. I knew that I should have it. The other is the tiny one that was given to me anonymously. That was such a lovely gesture and I really treasure it.
This year the 236 manger scenes will be set up at Lakeside Presbyterian Church from Wednesday, December 7 to December 14 from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. (except Sunday) for what she insists will be the last time on public display. This event will be marked by a community luncheon open to all held at the Church on Saturday, December 10, noon to 3 p.m. Stop and get your fill of the holiday spirit. Lakeside Presbyterian Church is located on the Carretera just west of S&S Auto and Bubba’s Restaurant.