Kampong Novena | Novena Church, Church of St Alphonsus, Singapore)
Bethlehem Village | Cathedral of the Good Shepherd, Singapore)
Our Inspiration
Gaudium et spes (Joy and hope), from Vatican II. See: 'The joys and the hopes, the griefs and the anxieties of the men of this age, especially those who are poor or in any way afflicted, these are the joys and hopes, the griefs and anxieties of the followers of Christ.’ (GS 1)
It was Rev Fr Ravi Michael, SJ who led us to the name JoyHope. He explained that the birth of Jesus in the manger is really the basis for the Church's desire to share in the joys and hopes of human beings, especially the poor and afflicted, as echoed in the 2nd Vatican Council Document, Gaudium et Spes. The Manger is really the constant coming of God to be with us (Emmanuel), in order to be in the midst of our own respective joys and hopes, as individuals and as communities.
It was Rev Fr Ravi Michael, SJ who led us to the name JoyHope. He explained that the birth of Jesus in the manger is really the basis for the Church's desire to share in the joys and hopes of human beings, especially the poor and afflicted, as echoed in the 2nd Vatican Council Document, Gaudium et Spes. The Manger is really the constant coming of God to be with us (Emmanuel), in order to be in the midst of our own respective joys and hopes, as individuals and as communities.
Our Journey
It was in 2011, inspired and challenged by Rev Msgr Philip Heng, SJ then Parish Priest of the Church of St Ignatius, Singapore to build a creche...that launched a journey for Bernard Yeo to find out more about the origins of the nativity…hence the beginning of the makings of the Christmas Crib.
After the positive response to this, he was asked to build upon it and make it a Bethlehem Village. Bernard wanted to tell the greater nativity story from the time Joseph and Mary travelled from Nazareth to Bethlehem for the Census, where they could not find a room in the Inn... to the bustle of activities in the City of David. And of course, the birth of Jesus in a manger accompanied by an ox and a donkey and the visiting shepherds and the three wise men. As a result, he expanded the scene and added the Inn, tower, blacksmith, village square and Roman quarters over the years.
It was in 2017, that the largest scale the husband & wife team and helpers ever embarked on was at the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd (Singapore). It measured 24ft length by 12ft depth. As most of the figurines were sourced from Rome, many other pieces were made from repurposed material. For example, egg trays for the façade and flooring of buildings, recycled wood & wine crates for sheep pen, converting a wooden flower pot into a well, and little ornaments that were sourced over the years from their travels.
Instilled with this deep passion cultivated over the 8yrs, JoyHopeStudio was initiated with the purpose and conviction to make readily available the Christmas Crib, also known as a creche or nativity (birth) scene for the homes. This is so as to inspire people to meditate on the Christmas story and make it a part of their devotional, traditional Christmas celebration.
We make available a selection of creches in varying sizes on our online SHOP
Custom enquiries for Large Nativity Displays are also welcome for Churches, shopping malls, offices and beyond our shore!
After the positive response to this, he was asked to build upon it and make it a Bethlehem Village. Bernard wanted to tell the greater nativity story from the time Joseph and Mary travelled from Nazareth to Bethlehem for the Census, where they could not find a room in the Inn... to the bustle of activities in the City of David. And of course, the birth of Jesus in a manger accompanied by an ox and a donkey and the visiting shepherds and the three wise men. As a result, he expanded the scene and added the Inn, tower, blacksmith, village square and Roman quarters over the years.
It was in 2017, that the largest scale the husband & wife team and helpers ever embarked on was at the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd (Singapore). It measured 24ft length by 12ft depth. As most of the figurines were sourced from Rome, many other pieces were made from repurposed material. For example, egg trays for the façade and flooring of buildings, recycled wood & wine crates for sheep pen, converting a wooden flower pot into a well, and little ornaments that were sourced over the years from their travels.
Instilled with this deep passion cultivated over the 8yrs, JoyHopeStudio was initiated with the purpose and conviction to make readily available the Christmas Crib, also known as a creche or nativity (birth) scene for the homes. This is so as to inspire people to meditate on the Christmas story and make it a part of their devotional, traditional Christmas celebration.
We make available a selection of creches in varying sizes on our online SHOP
Custom enquiries for Large Nativity Displays are also welcome for Churches, shopping malls, offices and beyond our shore!
Origin of the First Nativity Scene (creche)
A heart-warming story that puts Christ back into Christmas...
Saint Francis of Assisi is accredited with creating the first Creche or Nativity Scene in a Christmas Midnight Mass he held inside a cave in Greccio, Italy in 1223. This year, 2023, marks the auspicious 800th Anniversary of the first representation of the Christmas Crib.
Saint Francis of Assisi is accredited with creating the first Creche or Nativity Scene in a Christmas Midnight Mass he held inside a cave in Greccio, Italy in 1223. This year, 2023, marks the auspicious 800th Anniversary of the first representation of the Christmas Crib.
Feeling the True Spirit of Christmas
Hopefully, this story of the first nativity scene will inspire you to embrace your nativity set as an essential component of your Christmas decorations every year.
This historic Catholic tradition is an aid for meditation on the humility, simplicity, and poverty of Christ that Jesus took on, from the moment of His Incarnation.
May it bring to our eyes the reality of that sacred nativity as we commemorate the birth of the Holy One of Bethlehem…and also enkindle our hearts to ponder upon in the season of Advent and Christmas!
Spread the religious devotion with Nativity Sets that make great gifts and treasured family heirlooms.
This historic Catholic tradition is an aid for meditation on the humility, simplicity, and poverty of Christ that Jesus took on, from the moment of His Incarnation.
May it bring to our eyes the reality of that sacred nativity as we commemorate the birth of the Holy One of Bethlehem…and also enkindle our hearts to ponder upon in the season of Advent and Christmas!
Spread the religious devotion with Nativity Sets that make great gifts and treasured family heirlooms.
How To Arrange A Nativity Scene?
In the Nativity scene, each individual figure represents a meaning or symbolism…
When Does Christmas End?
We all know that Christmas officially begins on Christmas Eve, but when does Christmas officially end?
- Philippians 2:5-7
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
