ADVENT CALENDAR 2025

December 23

ANTONIO RAVINAL NATIVITY

Antonio Ravinal
Guatemala
Carved cedar wood
2014

This Nativity was carved from cedar wood by Antonio Ravinal, who uses the technique of chip carving to suggest the rich and colorful textiles worn in Guatemala. Mary appears to be wearing a huipil, a loose-fitting tunic that is the traditional clothing of indigenous Mayan women.

Guatemala has a rich and diverse culture that reflects both Mayan and Spanish influences. The country is known for its tradition of hand-woven textiles. The weaving is done on backstrap looms—so named because one of the bars of the loom is attached to the weaver’s back, allowing them to control the tension of the threads. Rural villages each have their own distinctive costumes, which identify their place of origin.

Glencairn Museum’s World Nativities exhibition runs from November 28, 2025, to January 25, 2026. Visit us at Follow the Star: A 2025 Advent Calendar.