The Christmas Nativity Set Story

The use of Christmas Nativity sets originated in the 13th century when St. Francis of Assisi celebrated midnight mass in a Nativity stable, reenacting the Christmas story for all who came to celebrate. This tradition of live Nativity scenes at churches continues today, but static indoor and outdoor sets are also exceedingly common in homes.

A Christmas Nativity scene (also called a crèche) varies in its makeup, but the most traditional Nativity sets include a Nativity stable, Mary, Joseph, the baby Jesus, shepherds, angels, animals, and the three wise men. Other Nativity figurines and accessories complement and liven a Christmas Nativity set or scene. These add-ons serve as a tool for personalization and also as a highlight of various lesser-known parts of the Christmas story.

Highlights of the Christmas Nativity Set

Displaying a Nativity set as a way to tell the Christmas story is one of the most faithful and enduring traditions. People can actually envision the events of our savior’s humble but ever-important birth. The bible is the best place to read the Christmas story, but a few highlights of the story that are often included in a Nativity set that plays out in a Nativity set are:

Mary and Joseph: Mary, the virgin mother, was impregnated by the Holy Spirit, just as an angel had told her would happen. Although she was frightened at first, she was committed to her incredibly important role. Her fiance, Joseph, was upset by her impregnation until he, too, received the message of the Lord from an angel.

The angel Gabriel is often seen in Christmas Nativity sets, as he was the angel who informed Mary that she would have a baby, the savior.

The journey: The census was happening when Mary was pregnant. This required Mary and Joseph to travel from Nazareth to Joseph’s hometown of Bethlehem as this is where he was to be for the census. No one had room for Mary and Joseph to stay overnight along their route (probably because many others were also traveling to and fro during the census), so they found the Nativity stable for shelter.

While the Nativity stable, filled with the various barn animals, seems like a difficult place to have a baby, the animals’ presence is demonstrative of the fact that God indeed loves all creatures. It is only natural that some would witness Jesus’ birth. Children especially love to hear about them as part of the Christmas story.

There were no proper cribs available in the Nativity stable for the newborn Jesus, so he was placed in a manger, also known as a feeding trough.

The shepherds were tending their sheep at night when they were visited by flocks of angels who said that the savior had been born in Bethlehem. They decided to travel there based on the angels’ message.

The wise men (magi) saw a star, which they knew meant a savior had been born. They followed the star to Bethlehem. This is why many Nativity scenes have a Christmas star.

Christmas Nativity sets are not only meaningful, but they are also a beautiful addition to holiday décor – they will bring texture, color, and detail into your home or yard. Indeed, the Nativity stable and figurines are usually the centerpiece in any Christmas space, often placed on a mantle, in the center of a yard, or near the fireplace.

You may choose to buy a large and complete outdoor Nativity set. Some of these are more traditional in style, while others are whimsical. You can choose elements of an outdoor Nativity that light up for an extra bold statement, or you could choose something more basic but complement with your own lighting for nighttime use. Some outdoor scenes can be five feet tall to give a very realistic feeling. This size is common in the yards of churches, but many families choose these for their homes rather than (or in addition to) the life-size Santa Clauses, reindeers, and Christmas trees that you often see.

Each time one sets up or gazes at a Christmas Nativity set, it is a reminder of the Christmas story and the baby Jesus of Bethlehem.

At St. Patrick’s Guild, we offer a selection of beautiful nativity sets to help you prepare for Christmas along with faith-based gifts, figurines, and books. Check out our selection online today or contact us personally so we can better serve you.