BELDEN, Neb. – A small town is northeast Nebraska is home to one of the largest collections of nativity scenes in the world.

Janice Wobbenhorst got permission to display her nativity scenes at the Union Presbyterian Church in Belden last year, and now she's back for the holiday season this year.

“It was a lot of work, but I decided last summer, ‘Yeah, I’d try it again.”

Wobbenhorst has been collecting nativity scenes for over 45 years and now has over 600 nativity scenes in her possession throughout the year in what she describes as "a very large closet" in Cedar County.

“When I was in my 20s, I told my mother I wanted to have a nativity in every room in the house,” Wobbenhorst said.

Since then, Wobbenhorst has received nativities for Christmas and birthdays, while also tracking down vintage nativity scenes at garage sales and flea markets.

She said she has nativities from Germany, Italy, Japan, China, Peru, Mexico and Thailand, among other places. She said she’s fascinated by all the different materials used to make them, from rubber to cardboard to plastic to chalk to resin to wood.

Does she have a favorite?

“No,” Wobbenhorst said. “I have a half dozen I really am partial to.”

Wobbenhorst said it takes her approximately one month to set up all the nativity scenes in the church and another month to put them all back away, with a month of showing them in between.

With all the effort put into the Christmas season, it would be fair to assume it is her favorite holliday, but…

“I don’t have a favorite holiday,” Wobbenhorst said. “I just like nativities…The nativities are just special all by themselves.”

The nativity presentation will be held at Union Presbyterian Church in Belden on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays until Dec. 18. Visitors can get more information or arrange special showings by calling Wobbenhorst at 402-360-3020.