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Nativity scene facts for kids

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In Nazareth, church of the Archangel Gabriel
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

  • Carnegie Presepio

    Neapolitan presepio at the Carnegie Museum of Art in Pittsburgh

  • Presepe naples rome2

    Detail of an elaborate Neapolitan presepio in Rome

  • Maiori Presepe Giardini Mezzacapo 2004 038

    Neapolitan "presepe" of Maiori

  • Papierkrippenberg Trebitsch 1885

    German paper nativity scene, 1885

  • Giotto - Legend of St Francis - -13- - Institution of the Crib at Greccio

    St. Francis at Greccio by Giotto

  • Krèsh expo 1

    Exhibition of several nativity scenes

  • BarcelonaNativityScene

    Outdoor nativity scene of life-sized figurines in Barcelona (2009)

  • Peru Crucifix with Christmas scene c1960

    Peruvian crucifix with nativity scene at its base, c.1960

  • Sicilian artigiana 2

    Living nativity in Sicily, which also contains a mock rural 19th-century village

  • Erabascara

    Living nativity in Bascara

  • Esslingen - Weihnachtskrippe

    Living scene in Germany

  • Piazza San Pietro (febbraio 2005)

    St. Peter's Square

  • Santon maraîcher

    A santon produce seller

  • Szopka krakowska2

    Szopka in Kraków

  • KJ hrad

    Krýza's crèche - Castle

  • White House Nativity Scene

    White House nativity scene, 2008

  • Australian Nativity Scene, 2012

    Nativity Scene at St. Elizabeth's, Dandenong North. Creator and Artist Wilson Fernandez

  • NativityScene ChristkindlmarketChicago 12190011a

    A static outdoor nativity scene in the United States, (Christkindlmarket, Chicago, Illinois)

  • United States Capitol Christmas tree lighting ceremony - December 5, 2007

    Nativity scenes are permitted on public lands in the United States as long as equal time is given to non-religious symbols.

  • In Bethlehem, Church of the Nativity

    Nativity scene in Bethlehem, between the Orthodox Church of the Nativity and the town square (2014)

  • In Jerusalem, Church of the Assumption of the Virgin

    Nativity scene in Jerusalem, Catholic Church of the Assumption (2014)

  • Szopka-Wyszków-3

    Living nativity at St. Wojciech Church, Wyszków, Poland, 2006

  • Gutenzell Krippe Tempel

    Gutenzell, Germany: Baroque nativity scene, Jesus in the Temple

  • StWendelKrippeMissionshaus

    Nativity scene in Steyler Missionshaus in St. Wendel

  • Kerststal

    Traditional Nativity scene in the Netherlands

  • Christmas cribb

    Christmas crib

  • Weihnachtskrippe (23851233332)

    Nativity Scene, Germany

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