Malibu has been a city for only 10 years, but for more than 40 years, Christmas has been celebrated distinctively in this city at the intersection of Webb Way and Pacific Coast Highway.
Since 1958, a Crche (nativity scene), representing the birth of Christ, has been an icon the Keep Christ in Christmas organization has put up at the corner to rally the Christmas spirit.
Founder Mary Kipper, who came from the East Coast 37 years ago, began the project because she did not like the dark expanse of the highway, which offered no warmth.
She rallied the help of the city, the Chamber of Commerce and local churches, which willingly joined her as they created a special place for the community.
“It was put together through the interest of the community as a whole,” said Kipper.
Malibu’s Keep Christ in Christmas project grew every year from then on. It is now a heritage passed on from one generation of Malibuites to the next.
The project includes the involvement of many local organizations such as the Optimists’ Club, the Rotary Club, the Malibu Women’s Club, the Lion’s Club, the Garden Club, and the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.
The goal is to expose the true spirit of Christmas, keeping it in the open as carolers and speakers gather by the Crche on multiple occasions during the month of December to celebrate the birth of Christ.
Jeanette Maginnis, executive director of the project, said the event exposes children to the true meaning of Christmas.
The Crche is placed in a central location to help Malibu residents, who are spread out, gather in one place.
But this year, one thing will be different. Though Malibu’s Keep Christ in Christmas usually culminates the season with a Las Posadas procession, they will not be able to do it this year because the last Sunday before Christmas falls on Christmas Eve, and it would be impossible to get everyone together for the procession, said Maginnis.
The Crche and figurines are maintained primarily by Malibu resident Bob Sutton. With the help of the community, the figurines have been rejuvenated recently, but the Crche is in need of repairs as well. Organizers said they hope to get the community’s support once more to keep the Crche safe for Christmases to come.