Christmas Nativity Sets

The Christmas nativity Scene

Explore the history of the Christmas Nativity Scene, Find Vintage 20th Century Nativity Sets,

See New Nativity Sets from Thomas Kinkade, Fontanini, Precious Moments and More

Advent - Advent Wreaths - Catholic Christmas Traditions - Luke 2 - Christmas Pageants and Costumes Christmas Nativities

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The Christmas Nativity Scene deserves a place of honor in every Christian home. We call them by different names and honor the Birth of Our Lord with traditions as diverse as the world of Catholicism.

In large Cathedrals and parishes - and even in some Catholic homes - there are elaborate displays called Presepios. These are displays, usually at a side altar, featuring realistic scenery that includes rocks and shrubbery. This odd sounding word comes from the Latin word praesepire (to enclose, to fence) that now means manger or crib. The mean came, perhaps, from Saint Mary Major Basilica in Rome, called Sancta Maria ad praesepe since the 7th Century, since traditions holds that the relics of the Infant Jesus' Crib are housed there.

The oldest existing presepio is in the Basilica of Saint Mary Major where, until 1870, many of the Popes celebrated Christmas Mass. Made of marble, it is attributed to the artist Arnolfo di Cambio ca. 1289. In 2005 the 700 year old pieces were restored and seen by the general public. Previously, they were only viewed on Christmas Eve.

In many homes, a much more modest display is called a crèche. This French word comes from the Latin word cripia, meaning manger. From it we find the words used in various languages for the little bed of Our Lord's Nativity: crib, krippe, krubba, szopka, and wertep.

The earliest known depiction of the Nativity was found in the catacombs of Saint Priscilla of 2 A.D. and is in the form of a frieze showing the Madonna and Child, Saint Joseph, three wise men, and another figure that may be the prophet Isaiah with an eight pointed star above. Later images dating up until 5 A.D. include a fresco in the catacomb of Saint Sebastian with a manger with animals, but lacking Mary and Joseph.

Saint Bonaventure tells us that in 1223 Saint Francis of Assisi introduced a living nativity scene, taking an ox and ass and tying them to a manger and engaging a crowd of people from all over the countryside to attend Mass before the crib.

As we fast forward to the 19th century, we find that the presepio became much simpler and it's use spread to all of the social classes and became part of the domestic ritual for the season of Christmas. Pop up lithographed nativities like the one below were popular beginning in the 1890s, although the one shown below is somewhat more recent.

The trend continued into the 20th century with die cut cardboard

You can still find a few of these on eBay every year

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In the late 1800's, more and more nativity scenes found their way into the Catholic home with the introduction of inexpensive figures in clay, plaster or papier-mâché, and in Germany, carved wood.

Perhaps you own your mother's or grandmother's nativity set like the one below. These popular Nativity sets were within reach of the workingman's budget and could be found at low budget chain stores like Woolworth. The manger was made of cardboard and more often than not, fitted with a panorama scene in the back. An opening in the rear allowed a single bulb, perhaps from a low hanging branch of the tree, to be inserted to illuminate the scene.

The figures were either paper mache or plaster. Most came from Italy, but many originated in Germany. A treasured few, made of soapstone, hail from France.

If you go to estate sales, these are easy enough to find in the summertime, but as Christmas nears, the best place to look is on eBay. See what's on eBay now

You'll also be able to locate replacement pieces. Camels and lambs routinely break their legs, and every now and then Mary or Joseph will prematurely go into hiding in Egypt (aka a dusty corner of your attic)

On the slightly higher end of popular market nativities were the Italian crèches made of wood. These, like their cardboard counterparts, often had straw glued to the rooftop, but sometimes reed or bamboo was added for definition.

Toward the middle of the 20th century small hard plastic Nativity scenes from Hong Kong became popular. These featured hand painted pieces and glitter details. Often there was a vinyl palm tree to round out the scene. I confess that I have an extensive collection of these and they fill every available nook at Christmastime.

Keep Christ in Christmas Nativity Car Magnet

Every year friends and strangers ask us, "Where did you get that car magnet?" If you are Catholic and you own a car, this is the symbol you need to display.

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Olive Wood Nativities from the Holy Land - Many of our readers have asked for these beautiful nativities that are made in Jerusalem. We found a source and now you can order them directly from the artist.

New Nativities For Christmas 2010

Every year we get numerous requests for Thomas Kinkade nativities. So many that I've decided to put his beautiful works first. Thomas Kinkade, known as the artist of light, has created so many well loved Christmas figures. They are destined to become heirlooms to treasure in your Christian home.

Thomas Kinkade Illuminated Nativity Tabletop Tree: Glory To The Newborn King

An amazingly beautiful piece featuring over 40 handcrafted figures. Lights up at the touch of a switch and plays Silent Night. Stands 16" tall.