Nativity Scene Explained

Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus. The word nativity comes from the latin word ‘natal’ which means birth (and is also where we get the word ‘native’ from).

It is traditional in the UK for Primary (Elementary) schools to perform Nativity Play for the parents and local people associated with the school.

The Nativity Play recreates the scene of Jesus’ Birth and tells of how Mary and Joseph were visited by the Shepherds and Wise Men.

The parts of Mary, Joseph, the Shepherds and the Wise Men are played by children. If the school is attached to a Church, the play often takes place in the Church. Sunday Schools in Churches also sometimes put on Nativity Plays.

In the past, it was common for live animals including an ox and donkey and other farm animals (but not pigs) to be used in the plays. Sometimes they still are, but it is now more common for children to dress up as the animals in costumes or to have animal props.

The first Nativity Play was not performed by Children in the UK, but in a cave by Monks in Italy!

In some countries such as Italy and Malta, and many South American countries, the crib is the most important Christmas decoration.

The city of Naples, in Italy, has used cribs to decorate houses and Churches since the 1020s!

Nativity Scenes called ‘Pessebres’ are popular in the Catalonia region of Spain.

Cribs also have a long tradition and importance in Malta, where they are called ‘Presepju’.