In December, in homes that celebrate Christmas, you might find a grouping of miniature characters surrounding a figure of a baby lying in a rough, straw-lined crib. This is a nativity scene, a traditional holiday decoration with a long history.
Nativity scenes are found in homes and churches around the world. They typically are arranged in a place of honor with as much care and thoughtfulness as the Christmas tree.
The story of how a manger scene came to represent this pivotal religious event begins with the account of Christ’s birth.
What is the Nativity of Jesus?
What is a Nativity Scene?
A nativity scene is an arrangement of figures that represent the birth of Christ. At the core of the scene are figures of Baby Jesus; his mother, Mary, and his father, Joseph. Early nativity scenes often included the Magi, an ox and a donkey.
Today, a nativity set often incorporates animals, shepherds and angels. Some nativity sets also feature a manger, buildings and depictions of village life.
Nativity Scenes Spread in Popularity
Throughout the Middle Ages, the tradition of the Christmas nativity scene spread and was eagerly adopted across Europe. People began setting up miniature nativity figures in their homes, adding their own personal touches.
Some manger scenes attempt to recreate the scene of Christ’s birth with historical accuracy. Many other nativity scenes treat the event more creatively, reflecting the times and backgrounds of the people who crafted them.
For instance, an elaborate nativity figure set created for the Duchess of Amalfi in the 1500s contained more than 100 figures, including an elephant, a giraffe and even a unicorn. Moravian putz scenes often included representations of their rural surroundings, first in Czechoslovakia and later in eastern Pennsylvania.
Today, a Christmas manger scene can take several forms, from a single decoration, like a window silhouette, to a collection of figures arranged and displayed together in a detailed tableau.
What Was the First Nativity Scene?
While the nativity was portrayed in paintings and carvings even in the early ages of Christianity, it’s harder to pinpoint when people began to create nativity scene sets.
Some evidence suggests that sculpted representations of the nativity may have been used as early as the fifth century. There is said to have been a nativity scene constructed for a Christmas mass said by Pope Gregory VII in 1075. The first verifiable nativity scene was commissioned by Pope Nicholas IV in 1292 and is still in existence.
While there are earlier references to figures being used to represent the nativity, St. Francis is often credited with organizing the first living nativity. He proposed staging a re-enactment of the nativity with living people and animals during a visit to Greccio, Italy, in 1223. Townspeople in Greccio still re-enact St. Francis and his nativity scene every Christmas.
Sometimes St. Francis is also credited for inspiring the miniature nativity figures that many faithful use today, like the santons for which Provence, France, is known.
These “little saints” were shaped from clay, making them affordable to many. During the French Revolution, when churches were closed and worship was banned, santons enabled the faithful to mark Christmas through their tiny private sets.
Even as the Protestant movement fractured the Catholic Church, the depiction of the nativity maintained a commonality of faith.
How Do You Set Up a Nativity Scene?
There is a widely accepted order to the arrangement of a Christmas creche.
The crib takes the most prominent position, usually front and center. Some families place the baby Jesus in the manger right away; others wait until Christmas Eve. Set Mary and Joseph on either side of the crib. Mary is often on the left side, when you look at the crib, with Joseph on the right. However, if the figurines are facing in a certain direction, arrange them so they are facing the Christ Child.
Some directions are meticulous about where to place the ox and donkey. They say the ox should be behind Mary, with the donkey and three wise men behind Joseph. There may be an angel hovering in the background or overhead.
Remaining figures should be set where they make sense, but do not distract from the central scene. For instance, group sheep with the shepherds and keep the three wise men together, along with their camel.
Where Are Nativity Scenes Displayed?
Nativity scenes are displayed in many places. During the Christmas season, the nativity scene is often situated prominently near the front of the church. These typically large-scale nativity sets might be arranged in a wooden shelter reminiscent of a manger.
Throughout the 20th century, municipalities often erected outdoor nativity scenes in public areas like parks or in front of Town Halls. While a public nativity display is not illegal, it is no longer so common. As Americans acknowledge our nation’s religious diversity, nativity scenes are generally displayed on church or private property.
At home, nativity scenes may be displayed on a table or under the Christmas tree. Some are incorporated into larger Christmas village displays. You can even find lighted nativity scene window and porch decorations.
Notable Nativity Scenes Around the World
Whatever their size or configuration, nativity scenes are common throughout the world. Some of the largest and most famous draw thousands of visitors, especially during the Christmas season.
A few noteworthy nativity scenes include:
The Neapolitan Baroque Crèche at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City is an elaborately detailed traditional Italian nativity scene dating from the mid-1700s. It features more than 200 figures, including depictions of villagers and scenes typical of daily life of the time.
The nativity scene at St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City, is set up yearly in St. Peter’s Square from the beginning of Advent through January 8, the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. The traditional presepe was initiated by Pope John Paul II in 1982 and a new backdrop was introduced each Christmas. Since 2012, different cities in Italy have been privileged to create the nativity scene.
A museum about 90 miles south of Prague, Czech Republic, displays the world’s largest folk mechanical nativity scene. The scene features nearly 1,400 wood and laminate figures and set pieces, some of which move to bring the display to life. The gigantic display took more than 60 years to construct.
The Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, Rome, displays the oldest known nativity scene. In 1292, Pope Nicholas IV commissioned artist Arnolfo di Cambio to create a set of marble nativity statues. While it is unclear how many figures the set originally contained, the remaining statues, about 1-1/2 to 2-1/2 feet tall, include the Virgin Mary holding the baby Jesus, St. Joseph and the three magi.
Setting the Scene for Christmas
At Christmas time, we love to decorate our homes with trees, garlands, wreaths, lights and all the glittery, shimmery trimmings. The nativity scene is one of the few traditional Christmas decorations completely focused on the “reason for the season.”
Viewing a nativity scene invites reflection, gratitude, wonder and joy. A nativity scene is not only a decoration but a reminder of the core message of Christmas.
Nativity sets come in all shapes, sizes, materials and price points. Browse Christmas Central’s large selection of nativity sets and nativity pieces to find a manger scene that fits your taste and style.
