Nativity Scenes presumably originated from acted tableau vivants (French for "living picture") in Rome, however Saint Francis of Assisi contributed to the establishment of the tradition by introducing three-dimensional Nativity Scenes after his return to Italy in 1220 from Egypt. In 1223, St. Francis requested his friend Giovanni Velita, a nobleman from the town of Greccio, to it make a Nativity Scene for a Christmas Eve mass he was preaching. The constructed Nativity Scene was comprised of a straw-filled manger (feeding trough), an ox and a donkey (representing the people of Israel and the Gentiles, an allusion to Isaiah 1:3), all placed in a cave near the town of Greccio. Since this time, the Nativity Scene has developed in many varying forms from miniature figures to life-sized, as the tradition is still celebrated worldwide. Multiple Nativity Scenes being made today are commercially produced using porcelain, plaster, plastic, or cardboard to be temporary displayed within a church, home, public place, or natural setting.
You can continue this tradition in your own home or community, or wherever the Christmas Spirit takes you this year. Handcrafted in Poland, this wooden crèche resembles a Polish highlander's shed. Inside the shed are non-moveable figures of Mary and Joseph standing over baby Jesus who is lying in the manger filled with hay. A little lamb is nearby along with some freshly cut wooden logs. On top of the crèche is the guiding star showing the way to the Christ child.
Crèche Measures approx. 10.4" Long x 6.6" Wide x 12.0" Tall
1-800-278-9393
