Christmas Nativity Set

Saint Francis of Assisi is usually credited with creating the first nativity scene in 1223 in Greccio, Italy. The original Christmas nativity set was cast in a cave with live people and animals cast in the biblical roles.

His objective was to place emphasis during Christmas on the worship of Christ rather than on gift giving and materialism.

Pope Honorius III gave his blessing to the Christmas nativity set and within a hundred years it became a custom and every church in Italy was expected to have a nativity scene during Christmastime

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The Christmas nativity set depicts the birth of Jesus as described in the gospels of Luke and Matthew. The scenes include Mary, her husband, Joseph, and can also include the shepherds, the Magi, and angels.

Matthew's version suggests that Magi followed a star to the place where Jesus was living. He also believes that the Magi did not find Jesus until nearly two years after his birth and not on the exact date of birth.

Matthew's account also does not mention the angels and shepherds. At the same time, Luke's account does not mention the Magi and the star.

Although there is no scriptual basis, most Christmas nativity sets combine the Magi and the star with the shepherds and the angels of Luke. Also without any basis in scripture, the ox and ass are included in addition to other animals such as goats, camels, and sheep.

The ox has come to represent patience, the nation of Israel, and sacrificial worship. The ass represents humility, readiness to service, and the Gentiles.

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Each figure and animal in a Christmas nativity set has a particular meaning. The manner in which they are put together will enhance the significance of each piece and the visual appeal of the nativity scene.

A Christmas nativity set can vary greatly in the size and the number of figures, but there are still general principles that should be followed when arranging a nativity set. You should strive to create a nativity scene that is true to the scripture. The primary focus should be Jesus since he is the reason for the scene. The nativity set will include a manger, which is placed at the center of the stable.

In some traditions, the baby Jesus is not placed in the manger until Christmas morning, but it is not totally necessary to follow this custom. The Virgin Mary, the Mother, should be the figure closest to Christ. Typically, Mary is placed on one side of the Christ child and his father, Joseph, on the other.

Secondary nativity scene figures are placed in concentric circles to draw attention to their significance and visibility. When you have the three wise men or shepherds, these should be placed in the first circle.

When you have figures representing both the shepherds and the the Magi, it would be proper to follow Biblical accounts of the event. This means that the shepherds should be placed closer than the three Magi because they visited Jesus before the three kings.

Angels should be positioned above the Christmas nativity set. If this is physically difficult, the angels can be placed inside the stable, but behind the holy family.

The animals that are typically used are camels, oxen, and sheep. The sheep should be positioned close to the shepherds and the camels around the three wisemen.

Nativity or Creches can range from the look of the old time masters to glass, wood, porcelain, and modern art.

When most people think about an ultimately crafted Christmas nativity set, they think about Fontanini.

Fontanini makes Christmas nativity sets in a broad range of sizes from 50" tall down to smaller nativity figures that are on 2.5". There is a size to fit every home and decor.

If you want to begin collecting nativity scenes, the Fontanini basic 5" seven piece set is a great way to start. After you have gotten started, there are numerous more characters and figurines that you can add.

Every Fontanini nativity figure is hand-painted by villagers in a small village in Italy called Bagni di Lucca. The paint in a non-lead based paint so it is safe for all of the family.

Another group of special painters do all of the eyes on the figurines. They strive to get just the right look that is especially important to collectors.

The smaller Christmas nativity sets are constructed with a break-resistant polymer. The larger pieces, above 20" are made with a marble-based resin.

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Christmas nativity sets by Precious Moments are impeccably hand-crafted and meticulously hand-painted on a porcelain bisque.

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Willow Tree nativity sets have been increasing in popularity of the past year mostly because of peacefulness and calmness of their designs. Their simplicity embraces the feelings of peace and joy that you would like to have permeating the Christmas season.

Their figurines are designed to express their feelings through subtle body gestures. This could be just a turn of the body, the place of the hands, or just through a slight tilt of the head. The absence of facial features enriches the quiet and modest design.

When looking at the figures, each viewer can experience his emotions and feelings and this makes each one very personal. The essence of the Willow Tree nativity scene is the six figure Christmas nativity set.

This set is comprised of the Holy Family, Mary and Joseph, the infant Baby Jesus, a shepherd with a lamb, two sheep, and a donkey.

A welcome addition to the basic set are the Three Kings, Casper, Melchior, and Bathasar. Many people also like to add additional stable animals.

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Wooden Christmas nativity sets tend to take on a warm and special meaning. Usually each figure is handcarved and that makes it unique.

Many families begin with a starter Christmas nativity set and then add figurines each year. Each of these figure additions them becomes part of the family history and events are associated with each additional piece.

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The word "presepio"(which means nativity scene) is derived from the Latin very praesepire, which means to enclose or fence in). However, today it has come to mean a manger or crib.

Although many people call the nativity scene a manger scene, a manger is actually a feeding trough for animals and is not the stable itself.

The term "nativity scene" is believed to have been first used in relation to St. Mary Major's Basilica which is located on Esquiline Hill In Rome. It has been known since the 7th century as the "Sancta Maria ad Praesepe" since tradition has it that it was here that the relics of the cradle of Jesus were carried.

A presepio (nativity scene) is defined as a three dimensional representation of the birth of Jesus Christ. It is to be composed of mobile figures which would be arranged to personal tastes.

The scene can be made more realistic with the addition of houses, plants, rocks. It would be prepared for Christmas and should be removed by February 2nd.

The annual tradition of a nativity scene at the Vatican was initiated by Pope John Paul II in 1982.

In 2006, the nativity scene had seventeen figures that were loaned to the Vatican from craftsmen in the town of Tesero, Italy. These figures included peasants and musicians(bagpipe, flute) and a shepherd who was named Titaoca. The town of Tesero also displayed 12 nativity scenes that were made before 1800 in the audience hall at the Vatican.

In the nativity scene at the Vatican in 2007, the birth of Jesus was placed in Nazareth rather than in Bethlehem. This was based on the interpretation from Matthew.

The town of Trento, Italy provided the wooden characters and animals for the Vatican in 2008. The scene included utensils to imitate daily life. There were 17 figures in all. Nine of these figures (the Holy family, the Magi, and shepherds) were originally for Rome's Church of Sant Andrea della valle in 1842. However, they eventually found their way to the Vatican.

The 2008 nativity scene was placed in Bethelehem. It also had a fountain and a hearth which were supposed to represent regeneration and light.

The Magi are typically referred to as the Three Kings of The Three Wise Men. Since the 8th century they have been known as Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar.

According to Matthew, the Magi came "from the east". This has traditionally come to mean that they were Persian or from Yemenn. They found Jesus by following a star, which has become known as the "Star of Bethelehem".

When the Magi found Jesus, they presented him with three symbolic gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Note that myrrh is only found in Yemen which lends some credence that the Magi came from Yemen.

The spiritual meanings of the three gifts are: gold is a symbol of kingship on earth, frankincense is a symbol of priestship, and myrrh (embalming oil) as a symbol of death.

Whatever happened to these gifts is not mentioned in scripture. One version has that the gold was stolen by two thieves who were later crucified with Jesus. Another version has it that the gold passed to Judas.

Although King Herod had asked the Magi to find the baby Jesus and report back to him, the Magi were warned in a dream that King Herod intend to kill the child. They therefore decided to return home by a different route. This caused Herod to issue an order to kill all young children in Bethlehem in an attempt to eliminate a possible heir to his throne. This became known as the "Massacre of the Innocents".

Fortunately Jesus and his family had escaped to Egypt before the massacre took place.

The remains of the Three Wise Men are said to in the "Shrine of the Three Kings at Cologne Cathedral". Supposedly their remains were first discovered by Saint Helena on her pilgrimage to Palestine and the Holy Lands. These remains made their way to their current resting place by Holy Roman Emperor Frederick in 1164AD.

Canada Post started an annual tradition of issuing Nativity scenes on stamps in 1965. The first issue featured the Gifts of the Magi. Since then the Nativity scene has been portrayed in children's illustrations, Renaissance paintings, and stained glass windows.

Recent stamps celebrating the nativity scene feature sculptures by the well-known Italian-Canadian sculptor Antonio Caruso. An international stamp features the Shepherd, the domestic stamps shows Madonna and Child, and the US stamps features the Magi.

All of these stamps are positioned on a souvenir sheet as they should appear in the manger. When all of these stamps are used together, they work together to create a nativity scene and tell the story of the birth of Jesus. Each stamp is also a unique work of art and creates its own message when used on individual envelope