Nativity Scenes are recreations or depictions of the Birthday|birth]] of Jesus Christ as described in the gospels of Matthew and Luke. Nativiity Scenes are usually displayed during the Christmas season.
In America the nativity scenes are known as a creche, a French word meaning “manger“ or “crib“. The backgrounds and landscapes scenes are made from wood, glass, ceramic, grass, straw, fabric, and artificial plastic stones.
Christmas nativity crèches originated in Europe. Many of the nativity scenes today are modeled after German crèches dating back to the seventeenth century. The Italian Fontanini nativity figures are popular heirlooms today.
The Legend of St. Francis of Assisi
The first nativity recreation is said to have its beginnings in 1224, in the small town of Greccio, Italy. St. Francis of Assisi is attributed with gathering a congregation together, outside a cave, where he placed a representation of Baby Jesus, his parents and live animals, for a visual example of the birth of Christ. The Italian people called it the Presepi. After the first Christmas Eve reenactment, other towns and individuals created the scenes for themselves.Suite 101: Saint Francis of Assisi (November 12, 2007)
Nativity Scene at St. Peters Square
It was John Paul II wish to turn St. Peters Square in the Vatican City into a miniature nativity scene every year for Christmas. I The first one was set up 27 years ago, but every year since, it is a mystery what the finished piece will look like since its kept a secret until inauguration day. Preparations for the nativity scene start in the summer and design and the sketch are approved in August. In Novembe, workers start the nativity scene. The figures are life-size and are reused over the years, new angles and pastors are added every year. The figures of the Holy Family are the ones in 1842 for the nativity scene at the church of Sant'Andrea della Valle in Rome.
References
Fast Facts
-
Fact:
Typical scenes depict Baby Jesus in a manger with his parents Joseph and Mary in a barn, surrounded by livestock
-
Fact:
The Three Wise Men are often depicted in Nativity Scenes as well
-
The Vatican usually displays two Nativity Scenes during the Christmas season
One inside the Vatican Basilica and the other in the Piazza San Pietro
-
Fact:
A 17th Century scene, displayed at the Basilica of Saint Cosmos and Damian in Rome, measures 45 by 20 feet and is created from wood
-
AKA
Creche, Christmas Creche (France), Kribbe (Germany), Nacimiento (Spanish speaking countries) or Manger scene
