A Heavenly Ballet
USA
Franklin Mint
Setting – Marjorie Yefchak

Patterned on treasures of the Vatican Museums, Franklin Mint has created this nativity set in full baroque splendor. What is shown here hardly resembles the poor God who has come into humble human flesh. But should it always be like that? Is it not legitimate to show, once in a while, the other face of the coin, too? And so this nativity set takes human figures and gives them an almost heavenly appearance. The Christ child is surrounded by heavenly rhythms created by graceful poses and gestures. The figures defy gravity, and their weightless movement turns into a heavenly ballet. Baroque art has always attempted to open the heavens and bring their splendor down into this world. Rococo art takes it a step further and adds playfulness to the heavenly presence. This set brings these different aspects together and reminds us that there is "lightness of being" where Incarnation becomes a reality of faith.