Malibu churches, schools and residents will gather on Pacific Coast Highway and Webb Way once again this year for the 56th annual Keep Christ in Christmas (KCIC) celebration, beginning Dec. 1.
The annual tradition is brightened up this year, as seven of the crèche display’s original 15 statues have been painstakingly restored in time for Christmas 2019, in addition to work improving the roof of the structure.
According to information from KCIC, each of the original statues was carved from a solid block of larchwood, cured, carved again (more delicately) and then colored by hand-rubbing a mixture of linseed oil and special pigments. The statues originated in a small Italian village at the foot of the Alps.
President of Malibu’s KCIC project, Mary Motley, said before she joined six years ago, Doug and Susan Schoen had been organizing the tradition for the past 13 years. Original founders Jackie Sutton and her husband Bob Sutton formally organized the annual display, beginning back in 1963.
“It’s not just the Catholic Church, the Methodist, Presbyterian, Lutheran and [other] Christians,” Motley described. “People drive by and look at it; it’s important as a Christmas tree in New York. This is our tradition.”
Sandy from Our Lady of Malibu said the Woolsey Fire destroyed many homes, but keeping this tradition alive was a place residents can go, no matter their ethnic background and religion.
“The Jewish community also put up their menorah and it shows we are people of faith here in Malibu and it’s really nice to see that,” Sandy said. “The fire actually drew a lot of people to the tradition.
“They needed something that was beautiful and comforting, and there it was,” she continued. “Something they can count on.”
The tradition includes prayers, caroling, candle lighting and refreshments. The celebration will continue each weekend until Christmas.
“We might have lost homes, but we didn’t lose our symbol and tradition,” Motley said.
Motley said Fr. Frank Kerze, Damon Geisler, Fred Brostowicz and Carlos Rosales donated their time and skills to help restore the statues to their original form.
The cost of restoration, stationary and supplies to keep the creches in good condition are rising. To support Malibu’s Keep Christ in Christmas Project, the nonprofit organization is looking for contributors and donations to continue the ongoing tradition.
