ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1995, Roanoke Times

DATE: Sunday, December 10, 1995              TAG: 9512110086
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL   PAGE: A-11 EDITION: METRO 
DATELINE: NASHVILLE, TENN.
SOURCE: MARTA W. ALDRICH ASSOCIATED PRESS 

MUSEUM'S NATIVITY EXHIBIT VARIES IN STYLES, SCENES

THE COLLECTION RANGES from inch-high miniatures in crystal, wood and woven materials to a 4-foot German pyramid.

Christmas is never a noisy rush at The Upper Room, a small, unassuming museum where Nativity scenes from around the world are on display this holiday season.

While hustle and bustle fill the malls, the tone here is tranquility and meditation.

The collection began in the 1960s and today numbers more than 100. They range from inch-high miniatures in crystal, wood and woven materials to a 4-foot German pyramid topped with fan blades.

There is the grand (an exquisite Boehm porcelain display) and the simple (a homemade field stone setting that a mother made for her family by painting faces on rocks found near her home).

They come from Mexico, Nigeria, Denmark, Zimbabwe and numerous cultures within the United States - made of wrought iron, pottery, stained glass, needlepoint and seed pods.

``We try not to duplicate scene or style,'' said curator Kathryn Kimball, who doubles as museum hostess.

``Because we're a small museum with limited space, we must be selective. pieces made of very fine materials to the more whimsical styles that help us to draw from our own childhoods.''

Some might look at the different scenes and see contrasting styles. Kimball said the intent is to show how they're similar.

``We try not to emphasize the differences within the world, but the commonality: that is, the celebration of the birth of Christ,'' she said.

While they have much in common, the different details provide a visitor an afternoon of exploration:

One king in a Korean grouping wears an oriental hat.

A nativity from Spain shows gifts of chicken, watermelon and a food basket rather than the traditional gold, frankincense and myrrh.

An Indian display shows the wise men carrying bread, blankets and a decorative water jug.

The museum is one facet of The Upper Room, headquarters of an international ministry of the United Methodist Church.

More than 30,000 visits a year are recorded at the chapel and museum, which features paintings, furniture, manuscripts and other religious artifacts during the rest of the year.

LENGTH: Medium:   60 lines
ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO:  AP. The Nativity scenes at The Upper Room Museum in 
          Nashville, Tenn., offer visitors a peaceful contrast to the holiday 
          season's noisy excess. color.