The Creche

Depictions of the Christ Child are abundant in Church history. There are many well-known carvings and paintings of Jesus’ birth. Artists have shown the birth of the Lord in ornate, simple, abstract, and folk-art figures. There are simple scenes with only the Holy Family or those with a multitude of pieces. Sometimes figures reflect ethnic garb or figurines dressed to represent a specific era in history. The first living nativity scene is attributed to Saint Francis of Assisi, in 1223, in the Italian town of Greccio.

Most American Catholic households set up a nativity scene. Traditions on setting up creches vary by families and cultures. There are Mexican creches that include devils to remind us evil or sinfulness in the world are never far away. There are French nativities depicting the towns’ people from all walks of life — each bringing a gift to the baby – meaning everyone has something to offer Him. There is a German custom of waiting to place the baby in the manger on Christmas Eve. During Advent family members place a piece of straw in the manger for each good deed they do — building up a soft place for the newborn King. Some Christians wait until Epiphany to add the Wise Men with their gifts.

Enjoy this photo album. It is a collection of nativity sets from parishes around the diocese.