From Stable to City; Blashack's Nativity Grows into a Living Bethlehem

by Trinity Gruenberg

trinity@inhnews.com

When one thinks of the Nativity, the image is familiar—Mary and Joseph in a humble stable, surrounded by farm animals, with an angel nearby.

Edward Blashack of Bertha has taken that traditional scene and expanded it far beyond the stable, transforming it into an entire city complete with camps, farmland, and intricate details that bring the story to life on a much larger scale.

The basement of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Bertha played host to one of the most impressive private nativity collections one could imagine. Built piece by piece over decades, this collection is not just a display of figures but a tapestry of family history, tradition, and careful curation.

Blashack explained that the pieces are purchased through an Italian company called Fontanini, which has been creating resin pieces for 150 years. 

His collection began in childhood: “When I was little, we put out my mom’s (Audrey) Nativity at Christmas time. But it always got to me that there were no camels for the kings.” 

Thus began his mission: finding a camel and discovering Fontanini’s catalog.

Blashack received the Holy Family set from his mother.

Since then, the collection has expanded, incorporating the support and contributions of family members...

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