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Christmas Crèche is Dedicated in Philadelphia's Love Park

By Mark Abrams

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A manger display is now part of Christmas Village at Love Park (JFK Plaza) in Philadelphia.

The crèche is a Christian tradition containing statues representing the baby Jesus in a stable in Bethlehem.

Today, a children's choir from St. Francis Xavier School, in the Fairmount section of the city, sang carols after the scene was blessed and dedicated by Father James McGuinn, pastor of St. Agatha and St. James Church, in West Philadelphia.

"I think it's really important to respect traditions, and so that's what's behind what we're doing," he says.  "It's just reminding people of the religious tradition of Christmas and of the manger scene."

Philadelphia's publicly displayed crèche is sponsored by the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Knights of Columbus, and sits at the edge of Love Park along 16th Street near Arch Street.

 

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