When Did the First Recreation of Jesus’ Birth Occur?

Do you know the history of the Nativity set? They come in all shapes and sizes. We place them throughout our house, under the tree, on tables, on the floor, on top our television sets, in our front yards, and in our public squares. They also come in all races and species from white, African American, Native American, snowmen, bears, marshmallows, and even dogs or cats.

Modern Nativity Sets have been made from Lego sets. Additionally, there are Nativity sets using Star Wars and Star Trek figurines. They are created using a variety of materials – wood, resin, wax, styrofoam, chocolate, soap, paper, gingerbread, clay, and sausages. It seems humans are very creative when recreating the original Nativity scene. But do you know the history of the first-ever Nativity scene?

Christmas Nativity Sets

First, a Nativity Set is a recreation of the First Christmas Night. It is also called a crèche which is from the Latin word meaning crib or cradle.

This year I decided to do a few crafts with my children surrounding The Nativity story. I wanted to have some history to present to my children about when the first Nativity was displayed. We all know that the first Nativity was at the birth of Christ, but when did society start to use, display, and sell the nativity of the Birth of Jesus for general use?

Nativity Sets for Outdoors

The First Outdoor Nativity Set

It appears that the first Nativity set was an outdoor one. Wealthy Francis of Assisi is given the credit for creating the first Crèche scene in 1223. Since St. Francis was concerned that the focus of the holiday season was not on the birth of Christ (much like we worry about today), so he set out to “keep Christ in Christmas” by creating a scene with the baby Jesus.

St. Francis got permission from Pope Honorious III to set up a manger with an ox and a donkey. He used a cave in the Italian city of Greccio, a small Italian village about 60 miles from Rome. After placing straw in the cave, and using a wax figure of the Christ Child, St. Francis got local villagers to play the role of the Virgin Mary and Joseph recreating a living Nativity scene.

Outdoor Nativity Set

In the Life of Saint Francis of Assisi by St Bonaventure, it is written that St Francis of Assisi read the story of Jesus’s birth with great devotion. Then gave a sermon. 

“The man of God, filled with tender love, stood before the manger, bathed in tears, and overflowing with joy. Solemn Masses were celebrated over the manger, Francis, the Levite of Christ, chanting the Holy Gospel. Then he preached unto the folk standing round of the Birth of the King in poverty, calling Him, when he wished to name Him, the Child of Bethlehem, by reason of his tender love for Him.”

Early Nativity scenes used live people. Based on the Biblical account of Luke, we know that The Holy Family was present. However, the account does not list any specific live animals. An angel appeared to the shepherds in a nearby field and told them where they could find The Savior. Most nativity scenes feature wise men, drummer boys, and numerous animals. We only know what the biblical account states: 

Even cats worship the Babe of Bethlehem

The Birth of Christ from the New Testament Book of LUKE 2:8-20 

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them: “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today, in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 

But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Nativity Sets

The History of the Nativity Set – The Spread

After that first Nativity scene, churches in the region began recreating the Nativity each year, and the practice gradually spread throughout Italy. Eventually, sets were brought into homes and spread throughout the world.

Today, Christians still set up Nativity sets often under the Christmas tree to remind ourselves and others of the true meaning of the Christmas season. However, as more and more people acquire unique Nativity Sets, the hunt for the bizarre and fascinating continues. There are so many items used to create the modern Christmas crèche that it is becoming an industry by itself.

Our Elf on the Shelf on Christmas Eve – Waiting for Jesus to arrive!

Nativity Scene Museums

There are many nativity scene museums around the world. In fact, there are several in the Czech Republic. (Can you say bucket list?) For example, in Central Bohemia there is a collection of wooden figures nativity scenes. Additionally, there are some made with materials such as sugar or bread. 

In my home state of Ohio, there is a Bethlehem Cave and Museum which is a replica of the cave where Jesus was born. This is a Nativity of the poor King, and is in the town of Akron, Ohio. This church contains over 400 unique Nativity scenes from around the world.

Of course, the International Nativity Museum is in the Holy Land where Jesus was born, Bethlehem.

Do You Have any traditions with your Nativity Set?

One tradition we have in our house is that Jesus is not placed in the manger when our own Nativity scene is displayed. “Miraculously” he is found in the manger on Christmas morning.

Some years the children have come down the steps and looked into the manger. However, Jesus has forgotten to show up. My children find an empty manger scene. Even though some years I have forgotten to place him in the manger, thankfully, he has never forgotten me.

Another tradition is to read the Christmas story while setting up the Nativity set. We also have a magnetic Nativity set that has numbered figurines – one is added each day of Advent.

Additionally, another tradition to set is the Giving Manger. You family gets to put a piece straw in the empty manger for each kind act performed. The hay of that manger is used for random acts of kindness or thoughtful deeds done in the name of the Christ child. On Christmas, the baby Jesus Christ has a soft place to lay his head.

Willow Creek Nativity Set

Another Christmas time tradition that my family has is using an Advent Wreath! DIY Ideas to make your own! DIY Ideas to make your own!

Check out this awesome craft – 12 days of Christmas Nativity Countdown.

Sources: 
Smithsonian Magazine

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