In the early twelfth century, the word crèche was used to describe the birthplace of Christ. The term was coined after Saint Francis of Assisi celebrated Midnight Mass in a stable where men and animals reenacted the Christmas story. The crèche, derived from the German word krippe or crib, refers to the animals’ manger in which Christ was born. It later became known as the place of the Nativity, or the Nativity. The Nativity scene joins together Mary, Joseph, the baby Jesus, shepherds, angels, and on Epiphany, the Wise Men. Bronner's CHRISTmas Wonderland is pleased to present several beautiful Nativity scenes in hopes that families around the world will always be reminded of the miracle that took place in a lowly stable.
Nativity sets are an important part of the Christmas celebration at Bronner’s, whose motto is “Enjoy CHRISTmas, it’s HIS Birthday; Enjoy LIFE, it’s His way.” Over 500 styles of Nativity scenes are available at Bronner’s. This includes Advent calendars, ornaments, lighted product and more as well as the traditional Nativity sets. Each decorated tree at Bronner’s includes a Nativity ornament. Now over 500 Nativities from 59 plus nations are part of the Bronner family’s personal collection on display in the program center.
Bronner’s features Nativity sets from the Fontanini®, Hummel®, Willow Tree®, and Precious Moments® collectible lines. Fontanini® Nativity figures are available in 5-inch, 7½-inch, and 12-inch sizes. You can also choose from a variety of stables to house your Nativity set. A variety of Nativity accessories, including animals and palm trees, are available.
Eddie and Jane Beyerlein of Frankenmuth handcraft a number of the Nativity stables available at Bronner’s. Eddie retired from Bronner’s after 46 years with the business.
Masterfully handcrafted from wood and artfully detailed with shimmering paints by Russian artisans, beautiful sets of nesting dolls depict the real reason for the season. Sets vary; dolls may include Joseph, Mary, a Wiseman, a shepherd, an angel, and Baby Jesus.
Life-size and near life-size Nativity sets for your outdoor display are made to weather the elements. Lighted plastic and white marble lighted plastic are available as well as an ultra-bright, lighted wire silhouettes.
Back in the 1950s, Bronner’s distributed a life-size and half life-size, latex Nativity set produced by Mold-craft in Port Washington, Wisconsin. In the early ’60s, a disastrous fire burned the entire Mold-craft factory. Only hand-carved wooden Nativity sets or statuary marble or plaster Nativity sets were available in the larger sizes. Many of them were not ideal for outdoor use and were very expensive. Because of their belief that a Nativity scene, especially an outdoor one, serves as a visual witness to remind viewers of the significance of CHRISTmas, the Bronner’s wanted to be able to offer a life-size, outdoor Nativity set that would be more affordable.
For a time, Bronner’s CHRISTmas Wonderland sold a fiberglass Nativity set produced by George Tirone Studios in Boston. Still, it was Wally Bronner’s dream to offer a life-size, moderately priced Nativity set that would have the Christ child molded right into the manger to prevent the removal of the Christ child as a prank. Wally also wanted life-size, standing camels and wisemen to complete the set, and he wanted their garments and accessories to be molded into each piece.
The Bronner dream was realized in 1969 when a life-size, 17-figure, fiberglass Nativity set was developed in cooperation with two Italian artists and sculptors, George Tirone and Luigi Mucci, from the Boston area. Wally patented the fiberglass molds to preserve their uniqueness and identify them as Bronner exclusives.
The first complete set was sold to a volunteer church group for the Hastings, Michigan, city park. Wally Bronner and salesman Jim Gilbert served as speakers at the dedication. After a Tirone Studio fire in the mid-’70s destroyed Bronner’s exclusive molds, John DeStefano and Sons from Woburn, Massachusetts, re-sculpted the figures and continued their production. In the mid-’90s, the DeStefano studios discontinued business and Bronner’s began handling the production of the fiberglass Nativity sets, with the actual painting of the figures taking place at Bronner’s.