Bethlehem Tree créche comes to Oxford for holiday season
Published 8:00 am Thursday, November 20, 2025
The Bethlehem Tree, a large European-style nativity scene also known as a Christmas créche, is on display at First Presbyterian Church in Oxford.
The scene is made up of 300-year-old Italian figurines crafted mostly of hemp, clay, and wood, and dressed in colorful silks.
The créche was started by the late Jewell Graeber of Marks and her daughter, Gay Graeber of Oxford, has continued her efforts over the years.
“My mother saw the Angel Tree exhibit in 1984 at The Met and was moved by it,” said Gay Graeber, said. “She especially wanted to make it for children to enjoy.”
The display will open on Sunday, Nov. 23, with a ceremony at 11 a.m., and it will remain at First Presbyterian until Jan. 6.
It took Jewell 10 years to collect enough figurines from auction houses across the world to create the large display, which has been added to and exhibited in various places, including Delta State University and museums in Tennessee and Mississippi.
Master craftsman Willie Bell, also of Marks, designed and built the platform and carved the angel wings.