Carving Christmas: 91-Year-Old Resident’s Nativity Scene Brings Joy
In a quiet apartment nestled on the Buckingham Campus, there lives a skilled woodcarver named Floyd Krick. He was known throughout the halls of Westwood and Gateway for his exquisite craftsmanship and his ability to bring wood to life. As the holiday season approached and from some encouragement from his daughter to make something for his apartment door, he decided to take on a special project that had always been close to his heart: carving.
Floyd’s “workshop” at Cornwall Manor is a cozy space at the desk situated in his living room or in the breezeway of Westwood – a change from his dedicated space equipped with a variety of power and hand tools he had in his Berks County home before relocating to Cornwall Manor in 2021. Now his workspace is very basic but that does not prevent him from continuing to create beautiful pieces of artwork. For this project, he chose basswood which is suitable for carving and molding by the use of small hand tools. For such work, soft and light wood is very important for such work to give the desired pattern. The grain pattern of wood plays an important role in carving. He chose blocks of basswood and took them to the Cornwall Manor Woodshop on October 4 to cut the pieces of wood and then did all the carving at his desk.
He began with the figure of Mary. With gentle, precise strokes, he shaped her face, capturing the serene expression of a mother gazing lovingly at her newborn child. He carved her robes with delicate folds, giving the impression of soft, flowing fabric. As he worked, Floyd felt a deep sense of peace and purpose, knowing that this project was a labor of love.
Next, he turned his attention to Joseph. He wanted to convey the strength and kindness of the man who stood by Mary’s side. Floyd’s hands moved skillfully, carving the strong lines of the figure’s face and the protective stance of his body. He added details to the staff Joseph held, making it look worn and sturdy, a symbol of his unwavering support.
The baby Jesus was the smallest and most delicate figure. Floyd took extra care in carving the tiny features, ensuring that the infant’s face radiated innocence and purity. He placed the baby in a simple manger, carved from a single piece of wood, with straw carefully etched into the surface.
As the days passed, Floyd continued to work on the other characters of the nativity scene. He carved the shepherds with their sheep, making the outer coat of their hair look like realistic curly wool. The three wise men were adorned with intricate robes and gifts, each figure telling a story of a long journey guided by a star. Even the other animals—donkeys and camels—were brought to life with Floyd’s skilled hands, each one adding to the scene’s richness and detail.
When the 17-piece nativity scene was finally complete, Floyd stepped back to admire his work. The figures seemed to glow with a life of their own, each one a testament to his dedication and craftsmanship. He carefully arranged them on a platform he had built, complete with lights to mimic the stars of Bethlehem that led the wise men to the birthplace and baby Jesus at the center, surrounded by Mary, Joseph and the other characters.
Floyd’s apartment neighbors were amazed when they saw the nativity scene. They marveled at the intricate details and the lifelike expressions of the figures. Floyd’s creation became the centerpiece of discussion among residents and very quickly word traveled to the Administration Office to admire the intricately carved and detailed Christmas celebrations – a symbol of hope, love and the true spirit of the season.
For Floyd, the greatest reward was seeing the joy his work brought to others. As he watched residents and staff gather around the nativity scene, he felt a sense of fulfillment. For which he was glad as the nativity set will be given to one of his daughters at Christmastime. Floyd knows that his carvings will be cherished for generations in his family, which is a lasting reminder of the beauty and wonder of the Christmas story.
Editor’s Note – when I met with Floyd about his carved nativity set, he was adamant that the story I spotlight be about the nativity set and the true meaning of Christmas; not him. He did not want any recognition or attention drawn to him. However, after spending almost two hours with this soft-spoken, sweet and gentle man with a calm and thoughtful demeanor and full of stories of his life, I would be remiss to not talk about Floyd. Just a little.
When I walked into his apartment, his wood carvings are showcased on the walls, coffee and end tables and bookshelves. I instantly knew that Floyd was talented and his craftmanship had extended a great deal through his 91 years. He was a carpenter by trade and spent his career in construction, along with a ten-year stint with the Pennsylvania Game Commission and also completing carpentry side jobs to support his four children on their collegiate academic ventures. During our conversations, it was evident that Floyd is extremely proud of his family. He and his late wife, Phyllis, had four children – one son and three daughters and eight grandchildren, four great-grandchildren (and one due to arrive in April 2025). He shared stories of all four children attending college and that all four had dual majors and turned out very successful – three of the four are doctors (two veterinarians and one doctor of anthropology) and one medical technician turned gourmet baker. “I’m very fortunate and blessed. All of my children are very talented,” he shares.
He recalls that his wife Phyllis always wanted a nativity set. She shopped high and low for the perfect set and found one in a gift shop in Ephrata. The five-piece set was $185. A common rule in their marriage was to always discuss purchases of over $100 with the other spouse. She came home and told Floyd about it and the following weekend they went together to look at the set. After seeing the store five-piece set, Floyd offered to make a set for her instead. Phyllis agreed as long as she could have it that Christmas. Floyd got started that day in his workshop. The set he made Phyllis is similar to the scene currently displayed on his apartment door.
Floyd’s self-taught skill has carved over 200 different and intricate pieces. Before moving to Cornwall Manor, the majority of his collection went to his children (they got to select the pieces they wanted) and grandchildren – allowing every member of his family to have a piece of his craftmanship. His greatest fulfillment is taking a block of wood and ending with something recognizable.
During our time together, Floyd shared many stories of his life including his careers, his late wife, his children and he shared, “everything we did had another meaning and step in life.” Yes, life is a journey where each experience, whether big or small, plays a role in shaping who we are and guiding us to the next phase of our lives. Each moment, each decision, is like carving a piece of wood – every cut, every detail, shapes the person we become and the legacy we leave behind.
Thank you, Floyd, for sharing your stories and nativity scene. All are truly beautiful.
Interview written and edited by Stacia Layser, Director of Communications
