GREENFIELD – The group responsible for setting up the Nativity scene on the Town Common believes it may finally be safe from vandalism, after a sheet of tempered glass was installed in front of the display Friday afternoon.
Earlier in the month, a baby Jesus figurine in the creche was damaged and the donkey figurine’s ears were broken off. As this is the third year in a row the Nativity scene has been vandalized, members of Keep Christ in Christmas — the group responsible for the display — decided to take preventive action.
“I’m certainly disappointed, but in light of the number of incidents over the last few years, it really is a smart thing to do,” said Doug Clarke, a member of Keep Christ in Christmas.
The glass covers the bottom three-quarters of the display, and will be a permanent part of the creche. However, Clarke added, it is easily removable “if we ever feel a public display is safe downtown again.”
Clarke said he had been reluctant to install glass, feeling that doing so would be contrary to the spirit, symbolism and humility of the display.
“It detracts from the innocence of the manger display, but weighed against the inconvenience and the problems associated with having to deal with vandalism, even though it’s been fairly minor, it seems like the responsible thing to do,” Clarke said Friday.
He explained that not only members of Keep Christ in Christmas are affected by the vandalism, but the Greenfield Police Department as well as passersby, who are often discouraged by seeing the damage.
“We definitely didn’t want this to be a burden on others,” Clarke said. “If the measures we’ve taken lessen the opportunity for this to be a burden on others and as a whole, it’s certainly worth it.”
“It’s a sad commentary on society,” noted George Gohl, owner of Garden Cinemas, as he watched Greenfield Glass workers install the shield Friday.
Clarke expected the installation would cost Keep Christ in Christmas about $300, which would come from a fund set aside specifically for repairs to the Nativity scene. Greenfield Glass donated the time to install the glass.
“We’re donating our labor, the only thing they bought was the glass,” said Andrew Girard, project manager at the local glass business. Girard said he hopes the deterrent is enough to keep vandals away.
Clarke said he continues to be glad that Keep Christ in Christmas is able to set up the display each year for the enjoyment of passersby.
“Despite the negative aspects of doing this, we’re just so pleased we’re able to still have the Nativity scene there where it’s been for decades, appreciated by so many people,” he said.