The meaning of the Christmas Nativity set

The countdown to Christmas is almost over; the houses already show the season’s decorations. In the Catholic tradition, in addition to the tree, another important element is the Nativity set, which has a special meaning that you can explain to your little one. Involve him in its placement!

This element under the Christmas tree represents the arrival of Jesus Christ to the world, an event that is celebrated at Christmas according to Catholicism; it is made up of a crib, remembering the place where He was born, as well as figures of the characters and elements that were part of this event: Baby Jesus, Joseph, Mary, the Three Wise Men, among others.

It is usually assembled from December 8th, the day of the Virgin of the Immaculate Conception; Baby Jesus is placed until midnight on December 25th.

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Meaning of the elements:

Joseph: Obedience and strength

Mary: Love and Kindness

Shepherds and crib: humility

Baby Jesus: Light amid the darkness

Three Wise Men: Royal and Divine Nature of Jesus

Lambs: Innocence and sacrifice

Star: Light of Hope

The origin of the Nativity Set

This tradition dates back to the 11^th century when Saint Francis of Assisi, in the town of Greccio, Italy, made a live representation of the Birth of Jesus; since then, this custom began to spread throughout Christian countries.

For a long time, the Nativity Set consisted of a live representation of this event in Churches; with time, figures were made to be placed in homes.

It is thought that the first Nativity scene with figures made of clay took place in the Italian city of Naples at the end of the 15^th century. King Charles III, who ruled Spain and Naples, ordered that this representation of the Nativity scene with clay pieces be spread throughout all his domains.

Arrival in Mexico

The Nativity set came to our country after the conquest of the Spaniards; it was known by the name Bethlehem, the town where Baby Jesus was born. As part of the evangelization, the Franciscan friars used the Nativity scene, the pastorelas (plays that recreate the biblical passage where the shepherds follow the Star of Bethlehem to find the Christ Child), and the posadas (a party to commemorate the Virgin Mary and St. Joseph’s search for a place to stay where Jesus could be born) to teach Catholicism.

All around the country, Nativity sets births are made in different materials; they can be made of clay, such as those made in the Metepec, State of Mexico, or those made with polychrome tin in Tlaquepaque, Jalisco.

Famous Nativity sets

Every year in different parts of Mexico City and the country, Nativity sets are placed that are highly visited. One of them is the one that is placed in Coyoacán Square, which is a must-see during these holidays. If you have the opportunity to travel, you can visit Tepotzotlán, in the State of Mexico, famous for its pastorelas and Nativity scenes.

Translated by: Ligia M. Oliver Manrique de Lara

Spanish version

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