Rachel Evans
Setting up a Catholic nativity scene is a beloved Christmas tradition for many. The nativity scene, which is decorated in homes at Christmas, depicts the birth of Jesus as described in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. The first nativity scene was created by St. Francis of Assisi in 1223 in Greccio, Italy. St. Francis wanted to remind people that Jesus was born as a poor child, not a wealthy king, so he set up a living nativity scene with real people and animals in a cave. Today, nativity scenes can be made from various materials and range from simple to elaborate. They typically include Mary, Joseph, Jesus, animals, a manger, shepherds, angels, and the Wise Men. Some families set up their nativity scenes a few weeks before Christmas, while others wait until Christmas Eve to add Baby Jesus, following German tradition.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time of setup | A few weeks before Christmas, some pair it with Advent, or Saint Lucy's Day (December 13) |
| Location | A place of honour, well-lit, and at a comfortable height |
| Background | Starry-night paper |
| Ornaments | Stars, angels, bells, doves |
| Distribution | Stable in the centre to emphasise the religious importance of Jesus' birth |
| Props | Oak tree trunks, moss, hay, rocks, water, lights |
| Figurines | Baby Jesus, Virgin Mary, Saint Joseph, shepherds, angels, Wise Men |
| Figurine placement | Baby Jesus in the centre, Mary to his right, Joseph to his left, shepherds nearby, angels above, Wise Men at a distance |
| Figurine placement (alternative) | Wait until Christmas Eve to add Baby Jesus, place the Wise Men at a distance |
| Figurine placement (alternative) | Mary to Jesus' right, Joseph to his left |
| Figurine placement (alternative) | Wise Men at a distance, as they don't arrive until Epiphany (January 6) |
| Extras | Carrots, radishes, salt dough accessories, farm animals |
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What You'll Learn
The history of the nativity scene
The tradition of nativity scenes is often linked to St. Francis of Assisi, who is said to have created the first-ever nativity scene in Greccio, Italy, in 1223. According to St. Bonaventure, St. Francis wanted to celebrate Christmas in a new way, so he prepared a manger with hay, an ox, and an ass, and the people of the town came together to experience the scene. This event is said to have sparked the popularity of nativity scenes throughout Europe, with living re-enactments becoming common after that 13th-century Christmas night.
Art historians have noted that nativity scenes blend "biblical history and the reality of living in the countryside," allowing viewers to imagine themselves within the holy narrative. The southern Italian city of Naples became famous for its extravagant Nativity scenes during the Renaissance, with life-size sculptures and elaborate displays.
The tradition of home nativity scenes is often traced to the 1782 ban of church and institutional crèches by Emperor Joseph II. This led to the popularity of paper-cut and wood-carved crèches, with families creating their own displays. Today, nativity scenes continue to be a beloved tradition for many Catholics, with families carefully unwrapping and arranging the figures each year during Advent, often waiting to place the infant Jesus in the manger until Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.
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Choosing a location
When choosing a location for your Catholic nativity scene, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, you'll want to pick a place of honour—a well-lit area of passage in your house where the nativity scene will be easily visible. If you plan to add lights to your display, ensure there's an electrical outlet nearby.
Another option is to set up your nativity scene by a wall, using starry-night paper as a backdrop. If you're placing it under the Christmas tree, hang ornaments such as stars, angels, bells, or doves to complement the scene. You can also use oak tree bark or other types of wood placed against the wall to resemble mountains.
If you're setting up a more spiritual nativity scene, the first stage involves setting up an empty stable, cave, or grotto by the First Sunday of Advent. Choose a prominent or elevated area of your home for this. The stable can be homemade or purchased new or second-hand. Alternatively, you can make a cave or grotto out of rock-paper or brown paper rolls spray-painted with rock-textured paint.
Traditionally, the nativity scene is placed under the Christmas tree, with Baby Jesus in the centre, and Mary and Joseph on either side, gazing at their son. The shepherds and their animals are placed nearby, with the angels slightly higher, as if hovering above the scene. The Wise Men are usually added on Epiphany (January 6), but if included from the start, they should be placed at a distance, as if journeying towards the manger.
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Creating a backdrop
The nativity scene is a beloved Christmas tradition in Catholic households. Setting up a nativity scene involves more than just decorating—it is a sacred and joyful tradition that brings the Christmas story to life. Here are some ideas for creating a backdrop for your Catholic nativity scene:
Start with a simple or elaborate stable, cave, or grotto as the focal point of your scene. You can make this yourself or purchase one ready-made. If you're handy, you can build a stable from wood, or make a cave or grotto out of rock-paper or brown paper rolls spray-painted with a rock-textured finish.
Next, create a backdrop by pinning starry-night paper on the wall behind the stable. Alternatively, if you're setting up your nativity scene under a Christmas tree, hang ornaments such as stars, angels, bells, or doves to complement the scene. You can also use oak tree bark or other types of wood to create a three-dimensional effect, with "mountains" and "hills" surrounding the stable.
Use natural elements to make your nativity scene come alive. Add a water feature with a stream made of aluminium foil or blue craft paper, and create a path leading to the stable with sawdust, fine sand, or earth. Scatter moss or lichen to represent grass, and place rocks and trees throughout the scene.
Finally, add lighting to enhance the atmosphere. Choose blue lighting near the starry night paper and the river, green lighting over the moss, and warmer colours around the stable. Alternatively, use a combination of bright colours to add a playful touch.
Remember, the nativity scene is a way to meditate on the birth of Christ and share the Christmas story with your family and loved ones. Enjoy the process of creating your unique backdrop and let it be a source of joy and reflection during the Advent and Christmas seasons.
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Positioning the figurines
When positioning the figurines in your Catholic nativity scene, it's important to consider the story you want to convey and the emphasis you want to give to each element. Here are some tips to help you position the figurines effectively:
Choose a Suitable Location:
Select a place of honour for your nativity scene, preferably a well-lit area that is easily visible and accessible. You can set it up on a side table, shelf, or under the Christmas tree to centre the tree's theme around Christ's birth. If you plan to add lights, ensure there's an electrical outlet nearby.
Emphasise the Religious Significance:
The nativity scene should reflect the religious importance of Jesus's birth. Traditionally, Baby Jesus is placed in the centre, with Mary and Joseph positioned on either side of the manger, gazing lovingly at their son. Place the shepherds and their animals nearby, symbolising Christ's humble beginnings.
Create Depth and Dimension:
Use starry-night paper as a backdrop if setting up the scene by a wall. You can also use oak tree bark or other types of wood to create a three-dimensional effect, representing mountains or other landscape features. Add moss, sand, or sawdust to create a textured path leading to the stable.
Positioning of Angels and the Wise Men:
Angels are often placed higher up, as if hovering above the scene, to represent their heavenly presence. You can hang them or place them on a ledge. The Wise Men, or Magi, can be placed at a distance, as if journeying towards the manger, especially if you're setting up the scene before Epiphany (6th of January) when they traditionally arrive.
Accessories and Additional Elements:
Include accessories such as water pots, walls, and additional sheep or animals. You can make these from salt dough or purchase them from Christmas markets. Add Christmas lights to brighten up the scene, using blue hues near the starry night paper and river, greens over the moss, and warmer colours around the stable.
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Adding the final touches
Now that you have the basics of your Catholic nativity scene set up, it's time to add the final touches!
If you're setting up your nativity scene by a wall, pin some starry-night paper on the wall as a backdrop. Alternatively, if you've placed your nativity scene under the Christmas tree, hang ornaments such as stars, angels, bells, or doves to complement your setup. You can also use Christmas lights to brighten up your scene. Choose blue hues for the areas near the starry night paper and the river, greens over the moss, warmer colours around the stable, or scatter bright colours all around for a playful touch.
If you're feeling creative, use oak tree bark or other types of wood to create "mountains" against the wall. You can also use papier-mâché, foam rubber, or rocks for a more unique look. Create a path leading to the stable with sawdust, fine sand, or earth. Represent a water stream with a line of aluminium foil or blue craft paper and cover the remaining surface with moss or lichen. If you're setting up your nativity scene on a table or shelf, consider adding some starry-night paper underneath as a base.
Add some extra items to make your nativity scene come alive. Include a bridge for your river, a well, a haystack, a mill, a water spring, buildings, trees, and other natural elements. If you're feeling crafty, make some accessories like water pots and walls from a simple salt dough mixture of two cups of flour, one cup of salt, and half a cup of water. Don't forget to add some farm animals like cats, dogs, chickens, roosters, and pigs to trot around the stable!
Finally, remember the true meaning of the nativity scene. This special exhibition during the Christmas season represents the birth of Jesus, as described in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. Whether you're keeping it simple or going all out, let your nativity scene be a reflection of your faith and a reminder of God's love.
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Frequently asked questions
Families usually set up their nativity scene a few weeks before Christmas, some pair it with the beginning of Advent, and some do it for Saint Lucy's day (December 13).
You can buy nativity sets or make your own figurines from materials such as salt dough or Lego. You can also add Christmas lights and a backdrop of starry-night paper.
The Baby Jesus should be placed in the centre, with the Virgin Mary to his right and Joseph to his left. The shepherds and their animals should be placed nearby, and the angels placed higher up, to represent their heavenly presence. The Wise Men should be placed at a distance, as if journeying toward the manger.
In the German tradition, Baby Jesus is only added to the nativity scene on Christmas Eve, as he wasn't yet born. Children can help create a soft bed for Jesus by putting a piece of hay or golden yarn in the manger each time they do a good deed.
