During the 2019 Christmas season, parents of students enrolled at Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic School and parishioners of Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Church built a Nativity scene and set it up in front of Miami Lakes Town Hall.
The church held a blessing ceremony that year, which has become a tradition.
On Dec. 10, Father Luis Flores sprinkled holy water on the display. It holds figures that represent the Holy Family, an angel, a shepherd and the Magi, or three wise men.
The custom of presenting figures that depict the birth of Jesus originated with St. Francis of Assisi, who made a manger for Christmas Eve in 1223, Flores said in an email.
The blessed display is considered a source of prayer for those who see it, Flores said.
Town Councilman Jeffrey Rodriguez; Vice Mayor Luis Collazo; Mayor Manny Cid; Town Clerk Gina Inguanzo; William Sanchez, the town’s committees and special events coordinator; Joseph Sosa, assistant to the mayor; OLL Community Relations and Alumni Director Elsa Reus; Music Director Sister Helene Kloss, and choir member Isabella Pinilla attended the ceremony.
--Linda Trischitta and Megan Jacobo.