Opening Event for Christmas in Malta: Winners of the 2023 Nativity Crib Competition
Join us as we open a new exhibit, Christmas in Malta: Winners of the 2023 Nativity Crib Competition, featuring the best of the best in handcrafted Nativities. Museum of the Bible is once again honored to partner with the nation of Malta by exhibiting the top three Nativities from this year’s national competition. For centuries, the people of Malta have celebrated Christmas by crafting elaborate Nativity cribs. These handmade scenes often show traditional life on the islands of Malta and nearby Gozo, bringing the Nativity into their own culture. Each is unique, reflecting the region and personality of its maker.
The evening will include an awards ceremony for the winners of this year’s crib-making competition and remarks from the Malta Ministry of Culture, as well as from director Phil Cooke on the documentary Nativity Cribs of Malta, which will be shown, followed by a look at these beautiful works of art.
Nov 16, 2023 - Nov 16, 2023
5:30 PM - 9:00 PM EST
Museum of the Bible
Non-Member Adult Admission $14.99
Member or Student Admission $9.99
In Person Event
Schedule
5:30 p.m.
Doors Open and Light Refreshments
6:15 p.m.
Opening Remarks by Dr. Jeff Kloha, Chief Curatorial Officer
6:20 p.m.
Awards Ceremony
6:30 p.m.
Exhibition Remarks
7:05 p.m.
Screening of Nativity Cribs of Malta Documentary
8:05 p.m.
Exhibit Opens
9:00 p.m.
Event Closes
Opening Remarks
Dr. Jeff Kloha
Jeffrey Kloha joined Museum of the Bible in the summer of 2017. He manages Museum of the Bible’s Education, Scholars Initiative, Exhibits, Curatorial, and Collections departments and is responsible for executing those departments’ strategic plans, along with managing other professionals.
Kloha previously served 18 years as a professor of New Testament at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis and served Concordia as provost/chief academic officer. During that time, he oversaw two accreditation processes, transitioned the institution from quarters to semesters, steered the development of new curricula, and managed strategic planning for the institution. He earned a PhD from the University of Leeds.
His areas of teaching and research include the textual and canonical history of the early Christian writings, hermeneutics, and the Pauline Epistles. He is co-editor of Texts and Traditions: Essays in Honour of J. K. Elliott and The Press of the Text: Biblical Studies in Honor of James W. Voelz. He has published peer-reviewed essays in the areas of New Testament textual criticism and the use of New Testament texts in early Christianity. He is a frequent conference presenter, radio guest, and television documentary commentator.