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 Nativity displays or crèches are seen during the Christmas holidays and sometimes even beyond. There probably aren’t many people today that haven’t seen Nativity displays at some point in their lives. Churches, schools and retail stores often offer Nativity scenes of one type or another whether it is live or representational. Some feature illuminated Nativity sets while others are not lighted.
Sometimes these specialized Christmas decorations depict the story accurately according to the Biblical story and therefore they refrain from placing the infant Jesus in the manger until midnight on Christmas Eve. The same can be said for the Magi. They are often added to the set on January 6th because that is the traditional celebration of their arrival (Epiphany). This is a fun way to tell the story and give people a reason to come back time and time again to the see the ever changing scene throughout the Christmas holiday and beyond. Many cultures that do this often celebrate the Twelve Days of Christmas that ends on January 6 which is the Feast Day of the Epiphany.
The United States is just one of many countries that actively participate in the telling and portrayal of this holy story during the Christmas season. Therefore you may see many beautiful Nativity displays if you are traveling during the holiday season. If you were to travel to Poland, Italy or France, you would see different varieties of crèches than you are accustomed to seeing here in the United States.
Theatre groups often perform live presentations of Christmas displays as part of religious celebrations and on stage as well. Some of these presentations can be elaborate and may stray from the actual story in an effort to incorporate other parts of the bible into the script. Along with live actors, you will sometimes encounter portrayals of that Christmas night which include live animals as well. This isn’t as practical in a bigger city as it might be in a smaller town with farms nearby. The animals can include an array of different types of animals that are mentioned in the Bible and sometimes even animals that were not mentioned such as camels.
Other types of Christmas displays in more recent times include figures that are suspended in the air for a more dramatic effect. Some are in the form of painted murals. In individual homes you will frequently find smaller examples of the Nativity figurines and sets and made of all sorts of materials such as fine china, crystal, bisque, wood, metal and even materials such as cloth. Some of these Nativity displaysinclude the Christmas angels, Wise Men, and the stable around them while others are presented without a back drop that suggests the cave setting. Some are battery powered Christmas ornaments that can be hung in a prominent place on a real or artificial Christmas tree.
Other options for a Nativity displays would include lighting options such as the characters being hollow so that they may be lit from within. Other types of lighting would involve the lighting being shined onto the Nativity from the ground in the form of flood lights or other outdoor lighting options. In some cases, for a more realistic effect, candles are used. These outdoor Christmas decorations are a great way to keep Christ in Christmas.
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