Nativity scene

A nativity scene (usually capitalized if referring to the birth of Jesus), also called a crib or crèche (meaning "crib" or "manger" in French) generally refers to any depiction of the birth or birthplace of Jesus. In Spain and hispanic countries, this is called Belen (meaning Bethlehem in Spanish). In Argentina it is called pesebre. Christian Nativity scenes, in two dimensions (drawings, paintings, icons, etc.) or three (sculpture or other three-dimensional crafts), usually show Jesus in a manger, Joseph and Mary in a barn (or cave) intended to accommodate farm animals. A mule and an ox accompany them, after the Apocryphal Gospels. The scene sometimes includes the Magi or Three Wise Men, shepherds, angels and the Star of Bethlehem. The traditional scenes that show the shepherds and Magi together are of course not true to the Bible story, since the Magi arrived much later (Luke 2:7-16).

Related Topics:
Birth - Jesus - French - Argentina - Nativity - Icon - Manger - Joseph - Mary - Barn - Cave - Animal - Mule - Ox - Apocryphal Gospel - Three Wise Men - Shepherd - Angel - Star of Bethlehem

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At Christmas time these arrangements are created and displayed in Catholic (and some Protestant) homes, churches and parks. A life-sized version is on permanent display in Piazza San Pietro in the Vatican City.

Related Topics:
Christmas - Piazza San Pietro - Vatican City

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Although St Francis of Assisi is credited with the invention of three-dimensional Nativity Scenes, drawings and paintings existed earlier. The tradition was brought into Spain from Naples during the reign of Charles III of Spain.

Related Topics:
Francis of Assisi - Spain - Naples - Charles III of Spain

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In Catalonia, a additional figure representing a Catalan peasant in the act of defecating (a caganer) is always included in the scene.

Related Topics:
Catalonia - Caganer

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In Provence, in the South of France, nativity scenes are sometimes composed of hundreds of small painted clay figurines, called santons, representing all the traditional trades and professions of old Provence. Because of their cultural value the santons are often collected as art or craft objects, regardless of their possible use in a nativity scene.

Related Topics:
Provence - France - Santons

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