| Nativity scenes are very popular additions to | | | | Churches were being sacked and closed. |
| any household in the advent season. They | | | | Christmas midnight mass and outdoor nativity |
| depict the birth of Jesus. Christian nativity | | | | scenes were banned. This forced people to set |
| scenes normally show Jesus in a manger, | | | | up crèches in their own homes. The |
| Joseph and Mary in a barn, stable, or shed. | | | | displays became more elaborate over time with |
| A mule and an ox usually accompany them. The | | | | the whole Provencal village being recreated. |
| scene also includes the three wise men, | | | | Typical characters of day-to-day life: the |
| shepherds, angels and the Star of Bethlehem. | | | | fishmonger, baker, flower peddler, vegetable |
| The traditional scenes that show the | | | | merchant, the mayor, priest, nun, midwife |
| shepherds and three wise men together are not | | | | with her cradle, the fisherman with his nets |
| true to the story as told in the bible. In | | | | and the shepherd with his cape and walking |
| the bible the three wise men arrived after | | | | cane are depicted. The scenery is often |
| the birth of Jesus. | | | | developed to include trees, rivers, hills, |
| | | | the entire whole village scene with the focal |
| Nativity scenes are displayed in homes, | | | | point being the nativity crèche. |
| churches and village greens throughout the | | | | |
| advent season. Large nativity scenes with | | | | Advent festivities in Italy include bagpipers |
| live animals and people are created for | | | | or zampognari who play old hill tunes in |
| advent nativity celebrations. Nativity scenes | | | | anticipation of the coming of Jesus. These |
| are called creche's in European countries. | | | | bagpipers are popular in Italian nativity |
| | | | scenes. The Italians traditionally view the |
| St. Francis of Assisi is credited with making | | | | many elaborate manger scenes on Christmas |
| the nativity tradition popular. In a | | | | Eve. Artisans create detailed landscapes |
| Christmas Eve service in 1223, he staged a | | | | around the manger scenes: small trees, lakes, |
| simple reenactment of Jesus' birth, focusing | | | | rivers, grottoes, hanging angels and local |
| on the manger. He made the nativity come | | | | heroes. The most elaborate and beautiful |
| alive. The idea caught on and manger scenes | | | | nativity scenes are set up in Churches. |
| became more elaborate and took on more | | | | |
| cultural characteristics from Italy to | | | | Nativity scenes are common in Christian homes |
| France, Germany and Spain. Today, almost | | | | today, often displayed on mantles or |
| every culture in the world has their unique | | | | underneath the Christmas tree. Advent |
| representation of the nativity scene. | | | | wreaths, advent calendars and Christmas |
| | | | wreaths are also popular for advent |
| A typical French Noel crèche consists of | | | | celebrations. |
| figures called Santons. These figures | | | | |
| originally made of wood, wax or clay come in | | | | Lynn Jebbia is the owner of Acadia Wreath |
| their work clothes to visit the Holy Family. | | | | Company. Acadia Wreath Company, based in Bar |
| They bring the Christ Child presents they | | | | Harbor, Maine, handcrafts fresh Maine balsam |
| have made or grown, hunted or sold. They | | | | fir Christmas wreaths, Christmas Centerpieces |
| perform or offer simple gestures of | | | | and Kissing Balls which are shipped directly |
| thoughtfulness. They were a way of bringing | | | | to customers and corporate clients throughout |
| religion home after the French Revolution. | | | | the United States. |