What is a Nativity set? A Fontanini nativity set depicts a traditional Christmas scene with Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus, and the animals. Many people display nativity sets at Christmas time. You can find them...
Many people display nativity sets at Christmas time. You can find them in gardens, on top of buildings, in the bank and in friends' living rooms. Most of us know that nativity sets are an artistic reenactment of the birth of Jesus, but most people know nothing about the history, culture or meaning behind the tradition.
Inspirations.com Marketing Communications Manager, Judith Vap, and Vice President of Consumer Marketing, Steve Shadrick, say, "A nativity set is always a depiction of the first Christmas. The tradition started with Saint Francis. He was the first person to create a live Nativity scene. It included Mary, Joseph, Jesus and some farm animals."
Before then, nativity scenes were limited to drawings and painting. According to Wikipedia.com, "The tradition was brought into Spain from Napels during the reign of Charles III of Spain.
The size and contents of the nativity scene depends on the area of the world you live in, the religion you are, and your culture. Nativity scenes are displayed primarly by those of the Catholic faith, but people of other Christian denominations may put up nativity scenes, also.
"Nativity sets can be as large or small as you want them to be. They're done in a variety of media with as few as three pieces or as many as hundreds of figures. People will collect animals and figurines and build on them over time. It becomes a collection for many people," say Judith and Steve.
In the south of France, nativity scenes include hundreds of small clay figures. They are specific to the trades and professions that were traditional in the old Provence. They are collected and prized as cultural icons.
Catalonia and Valencia Spain both include an additional figure in their traditional nativity. The Caganer is a symbol of prosperity and luck for the following year. It is placed within the scene, hidden in a corner away from the manger scene. Churches, schools and public offices often make a game out of finding the piece.
In Mexico and parts of Central America, the nativity is built, without the Three Wise Men, on the day of the Posada. The Three Wise Men are added to the scene on January 6, Three Kings Day. The nativity is taken down on February 2, the end of the Epiphany.
Nativity sets come in many sizes and materials. Trying to figure out which set is right for you can be an overwhelming endeavor. Judith Vap and Steve Shadrick say, "When you think of Nativity sets, you want to think about how you're going to use them."
The materials and size of your nativity must match the location and purpose. For example, Judith and Steve suggest, "Are you going to use it to tell a Christmas story to children? If you're going to do that, you definitely want to look at something in the Fontanini line, not only for the beauty and the craftsmanship, but for the fact that the pieces are nearly unbreakable."
Match the space available with the size of the nativity set. For example, "If you are looking for a Nativity set for someone who lives in a small apartment, you are probably going to want to consider something like a glitter dome with a nativity scene inside," say Judith and Steve, "That's a very small, compact unit. There's not a lot of work to take it out or to put away, and it can be stored easily."
Which ever set you choose, you are sure to enjoy the beauty, meaning and fun of the holiday season.
