A church in west Toronto’s Swansea area has come up with an innovative, interactive way to connect with the community this holiday season.

This Christmas, Windermere United Church, at 356 Windermere Ave., has launched a diverse, travelling nativity scene.

Called The Canadian Nativity, the papier-mâché piece was unveiled for the first time on Nov. 29 in the window of Romero House, a refugee support centre at 1558 Bloor St. W.

Up until Dec. 24, the sculpture will be moved every few days to a new location in the High Park-Bloor West-Junction area.

People are invited to get involved by sharing their thoughts about the crèche and what it represents as well as sightings of it on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram using the hashtag #FindMary.

“Even if the churches are closed and for good reason, we wanted to still give people an experience of advent, of holy waiting. We think people need it more than ever,” said Rev. Alexa Gilmour, who came up with the concept.

“We’ve had such good support, such great interest from the community. … By Christmas Eve, we hope Mary and Joseph will find their way to our church.”

During a recent interview with toronto.com, Gilmour said the idea is for people to “see the Christ in the world today and consider who that would be.”

“We’re encouraging people to think about who bears the light, who is the Messenger of God,” she said, adding they also wondered what a true Canadian nativity would look like.

“We hope we can disrupt the story in order to see it anew. God is a big disruptor of our assumptions.”

What local artist Karina Garcia, who was commissioned to design and fabricate the one-of-a-kind crèche, came up with was a unique piece that features a Black Joseph and a mestizo Mary who instead of riding a donkey gets around with the help of a wheelchair. The Canadian Nativity also includes seven animals from all seven continents, not to mention a baby Jesus.

A highly empathetic and spiritual person, Garcia said despite having numerous works on the go she was compelled to take on this project as it fit with her own personal journey of healing and growth.

Eight years ago, Garcia came to Canada from Mexico as a refugee after fleeing an abusive relationship. “I had been praying asking for ways to heal and help others to change their belief system,” she shared.

“I couldn’t not do this project. … There are so many reasons why this project appealed to me and I’m grateful to be able to do it.”

With the help of her husband, Kristhiant, Garcia has been working every spare moment she has to complete the nativity scene, which she said comes entirely from her heart and is a reflection of her light and love.

“I hope this piece touches people’s heart and helps them see we’re all one despite our differences,” she said.

Gilmour said the travelling nativity has been such a hit that Windermere United is planning to make it a new annual tradition.

Originally published on Toronto.com