The Nativity Creche Reminds Us Of The Origins Of Christmas
With the over-commercialization of Christmas today, it is not surprising that many families who celebrate this holiday know very little about its religious origins. Santa Clause and his reindeer hold the leading roles in most children’s minds, while the Christmas tree, bright lights and glowing snowmen are set up in homes and neighborhoods as early as Thanksgiving. Although these aspects of the holiday season are festive and fun, it is still important to remember the religious roots behind the Christmas celebration.
Many families, churches and institutions today are recognizing this by choosing to display a Nativity creche, or depiction of the birth of Jesus. The tradition of representing the Nativity scene dates back to the time of St. Francis of Assisi, and we can now find many different portrayals, large and small, living and static. Typically this biblical scene includes the infant Jesus, his mother Mary, Joseph and other characters such as a Shepard, the Magi and angels. It is also traditional to see animals including a lamb, donkey, ox or camel. “Creche” is the French word for manger, and most scenes take place in a stable, cave or other structure.
Churches and religious schools often hold a demonstration of a living Nativity scene, but for institutions and homes that wish to prolong this display, decorative Nativity sets are a great choice. There are many options to choose from when deciding to display a non-living Nativity creche. You can find life size sets meant for outdoor use or inside large institutions, or smaller sets for tabletop presentation.
Outdoor scenes range in size from 50 to 87 inches in height, and style, composition and material vary. Most sets include separate pieces that you may choose to include or add on at a later date. Fontanini, a prestigious Italian maker of religious crafts, offers an eleven piece, fifty-inch collection made of marble-based resin. Each piece is beautifully detailed and carefully painted.
Other unique makers such as Joseph’s Studio, Sunterra and Barcana Inc., provide scenes made of wood, cast bronze, fiberglass and resin-stone mixes. Designs can be colorful or look like simple stone, and some collections are meant to look antique while others are more modern. For protection from cold weather you can purchase wooden Nativity stables and structures meant to enclose the collections. Nativity light displays or illuminated nativity scenes are also a distinctive way to display this religious scene in dark rooms or outdoors at night.
Smaller, tabletop scenes are a great choice for those who do not have the space needed for a large display. You can find one-piece sets, or collections with multiple separate pieces. Designs are typically three-dimensional; however, two-dimensional wooden collections are also made. For an exceptional presentation, artisans offer collectible sets that have an emphasis on quality and may only be in production for a limited time.
When planning for the holiday season, the Nativity creche is an excellent and meaningful alternative or addition to the more commercial ornaments and decorations.
Rachel Messina is a writer and Internet marketing specialist with Mountain Media, an ecommerce solutions firm that works with clients, such as ChristmastNightInc.com, an online source for nativity creche sets.
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