Nativity scene Facts for Kids

Nativity scene in Nazareth, Orthodox Church of the Archangel Gabriel over source Mary (2014)

A nativity scene is a three-dimensional depiction of the Nativity of Jesus. It is also called a crib, manger, or crèche. Typically, a large scale scene includes the Holy Family, angels, the Magi, the ox and the donkey, and an assortment of shepherds, villagers, servants, and others.

There are two types of scenes: static representations of figures made of clay or other material and living scenes. Static scenes are often displayed on a table top in the home. In living scenes, humans and animals portray the characters in the scene.

St. Francis of Assisi is said to have created the first nativity scene in 1223 (a "living" one) near Greccio, Italy. It was a "hit". The scene's popularity inspired communities throughout Catholic countries to stage similar scenes.

Images for kids

Neapolitan presepio at the Carnegie Museum of Art in Pittsburgh
Detail of an elaborate Neapolitan presepio in Rome
Neapolitan presepe of Maiori
Moravian paper nativity scene from Třebíč, 1885
At Church and College of São Lourenço or Church of the Crickets or Major Seminary of the Cathedral of Porto, Portugal, 2007
St. Francis at Greccio by Giotto
Outdoor nativity scene of life-sized figurines in Barcelona (2009)
Peruvian crucifix with nativity scene at its base, c.1960
Living nativity in Sicily, which also contains a mock rural 19th-century village
Living nativity in Bascara
Christmas crib parish Church St. James in Ebing, Germany
Living scene in Germany
Nativity Scene at St. Elizabeth's, Dandenong North. Creator and Artist Wilson Fernandez
Part of the Krýza's crèche – a castle
A santon produce seller
A Belén set up in the altar of the Candon Church with a parol above it
Szopka in Kraków
Třebechovice's Bethlehem
White House nativity scene, 2008
A static outdoor nativity scene in the United States, (Christkindlmarket, Chicago, Illinois)
Christmas crib on the Saint Peter's square, Vatican
Living nativity at St. Wojciech Church, Wyszków, Poland, 2006
Christmas crib inside the Saint Peter's Basilica, Vatican
Nativity scene in Buchach, Ukraine
Nativity scene in Buenos Aires (1924)
Nativity scene in St. Wendel
Nativity scene in the Netherlands
Christmas Crib
Crib family with shepherds at the crib exhibition in Bamberg 2015
Abstract Nativity display in a home.
Nativity display at the St. Xavier's Church of St. Xavier's College, Kolkata.
Christmas Crib outside a Catholic church Goa, India
Christmas Crib & Tree display in House Mumbai, India.

Nativity scene facts for kids

Images for kids

See also