CHRISTMAS AROUND THE WORLD - UNIQUE NATIVITY SETS

Nativity Scenes did NOT originate from the Bible, where the original Christmas story resides. It was the humble Francis of Assisi who, while living in Greccio Italy at the time (1223 AD), decided to bring the most beautiful account in Creation to the average person.

In those days, the Birth of the Lord Jesus Christ was only celebrated by Mass in Latin, which only the church hierarchy could understand. An obviously inspired Francis went around Greccio borrowing animals and obtaining free donations of hay. He then created a manger scene, out of the Bible passages of Mary giving birth to Lord Jesus in Bethlehem, in a stable, since there was no room in any Inn, in that small town of about 500 in Bethlehem.

After he set up the first Nativity Scene with LIVE animals and wax-figured Mary, Joseph and Jesus, Francis began telling the story of the Great Birth from the Bible and preached sermons on it. It was the first time the people understood how the Savior was born and why He came. From historical accounts, many came to Faith that night. Hymns were song and Psalms read out loud as Francis of Assisi wept openly in rejoicing.

Many in Italy heard about this first Nativity Scene of all time, and it spread like wildfire. The first Nativities were almost all live, with live animals, since farming and agrarian economies still existed in the Middle Ages.  Today, around the world, each culture has its own unique rich take on the Birth of the Christ child in the manger. Nativity sets abound around the world, in so many uniquely exquisite forms, it makes the heart smile with gladness.

Each year, the local Franciscan order puts on a "Nativity Scene Festival"  and invites the entire populace to orderly submit their own favorite Nativity Scene, regardless of where in the world it was obtained! Protestants and Catholics and Christ followers of all ages and backgrounds contribute well-crafted and simply marvelous pieces from just about every corner of the world!! Many from all over, bring in their sets, acquired either through their own personal travels or even estate auctions, and share with thousands over a three day period at the Franciscan center, from all walks of life. It is one of the most beautiful events of the local Springfield, Illinois Christmas season.
(Here is the site of this annual event: www.chiaracenter.org)

These are just a small sample of those 131 Nativity sets from around God's Creation.

FIRST IN NATION, IL.  STATE CAPITOL SET (2008)
MARBLE-GLAZED SET WAS MADE IN ITALY

From Puerto Rico

Add caption

Nativity Scene made from olive wood, directly from Bethlehem in the Holy Land

Chinese Nativity Scene

Italian Renaissance piece

Authentic Native American Nativity Scene

Created from a South African Gourd

FROM GRECCIO, ITALY - 
HOME OF THE FIRST NATIVITY SET

And of course - a Charlie Brown Christmas (USA)

FROM THE PERUVIAN AMAZON RAIN FOREST

The Szopka (Nativity) From Krakow, Poland

WAR ON CHRISTMAS, CROSSES - SYMPTOM: DARK NIGHT OF THE SOUL

Each year around Christmas time, we Christians witness an insidious assault on the Baby Jesus, the Nativity Scene and increasing volume on the War against the Cross. It is absolutely incredibly that so-called “educated and enlightened” people, liberals and academics would work themselves up to hypertension and worse over two pieces of wood, planted on top of a mountain outside Jerusalem in 33 AD.

That is, until we realize what these pieces of wood and the nine inch nails which held them together, signify. It was on this tree, in the shape of a Cross, that God Himself literally gave the mortal side of His Life, for all humanity to be reconciled unto Him – the Eternal. God. This is absolutely something which those who are lost forever cannot comprehend.

In case they are wondering, this is against Whom the godless are fighting against, choosing NOT to know it: "Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped,  but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.  Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross....(Philippians 2:5-8).

In the Book of Acts, when the Pharisees were debating increasing persecution of Christians, one of their own leaders warned them here: "So in the present case, I say to you, stay away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or action is of men, it will be overthrown; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them; or else you may even be found fighting against God."...Acts 5:38-39. Of course, these people did not listen to Gamaliel, their great rabbi. They WERE fighting against God Himself, in the Form of the Resurrected Jesus Christ and His budding church movement!

Today, almost 2000 years later, nothing has really changed. It is not the simple act of removing a Cross from a Christmas tree in Indiana. It is not attempting to remove Crosses from veterans' cemeteries or on top of a hill in California. It is not banning Christmas songs in public schools or taking Charlie Brown posters off middle school doors in Texas. It is not casting away Nativity scenes from the public arena and disappointing entire large groups of citizenry. 

It is the condition of the darkness of their souls and hearts. Though they may have every rich and comfortable perk and convenience this world can provide them. Though they may have every corner of socio-economic, academic or other influence to shut down a kid wearing a Jesus T shirt or even sharing a candy cane with a school mate in elementary school. Though they gain the world, ultimately they are the ones who are to be pitied in their folly. Why? They have their reward in this lifetime. They just don't get it. They never will.

The Word of God, from the very Spirit of Heaven says this, and you can bank on it: "For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the cleverness of the clever I will set aside.” (1 Corinthians 1:18-19). 

NATIVITY SCENES: MANY CULTURES....ONE JESUS!

"But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Too little to be among the clans of Judah, From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, From the days of eternity." (Micah 5:2)

FROM BETHLEHEM, ISRAEL - BIRTH PLACE OF THE LORD JESUS, THIS SET IS MADE WITH OLIVE WOOD.
(All photos are from the annual Nativity Festival held at the Springfield Illinois CHIARA CENTER. Click here for website)

This Peruvian Retabios is 

unique to the Andes of 

South America. It is used to 

tell Bible stories to local 

indigenous folks who are 

not as educated as 

westerners.

Native American (Southwestern USA)

 T'is the season for 
Nativity Sets, Nativity Scenes or Creches all over the world!  This is also the time of year when all kinds of debates happen across North America and Europe about Religious Liberty and Christianity.

From Germany, where the
 "Baby Jesus is not added to the
 Nativity Scene until
 after Christmas Eve!

From India, Mary in sari

All of this fades in light of the wonder and beauty of the true meaning of the Christmas season. It is precisely times like this which caused the great Francis of Assisi, over 800 years ago to create the first ever Live Nativity Scene. Francis (the founder of the Franciscan Order of Priests) noticed in his land of Italy, that people were more interested in the festive aspects of Christmas and gift giving than what Christmas really represents. So he got a cave, some real animals and began a tradition which has lasted ever since. We are so grateful to this kind and gentle saint, Francis for what he did.

Handmade classic from Italy

From Springfield, Illinois

Over these 800 years, with the rapid spread of Christianity, Christmas around the world has taken up a most unique flavor, for an event which honors the same person - Jesus Christ, the very Son of God! While visiting a recent Nativity Festival locally, the impressive array of depictions of the Birth of the Christ Child is so amazing to behold. The creativity and cultural differences between the nations are only surface deep when you really boil it down. However, each piece of artistic design and work reflects the strong individuality of every tribe and tongue.

From Korea

The photos here represent such a wide range of cultures: from Native American to Korean....from Honduras in Central America to Central Illinois....from Africa and India to the authentic olive wood, from the little town of Bethlehem. Some of the raw materials used are just phenomenal - from straw, to wood shavings to porcelain to marbel to brass etc....all manner of creation!! These sets of Nativity creches all show the love, devotion and detail which represent just a fraction of the wonder, majesty and magnificent of the Greatest Person Who ever walked this earth- the Lord Jesus Christ!
(Photos from the Nativity Festival at the Chiara Center, Springfield, Illinois - website here)

From AFRICA

From Honduras, made from straw

From China, handcrafted w/some wood shavings

WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA JOINS HISTORY MAKING NATIVITY SCENE

In recent years, since the Supreme Court stepped into the arena of outlawing

First in the Nation Nativity Scene, since 2008

certain basic traditions, like prayer in school and Bible reading, this same cultural/religious conflict has extended to Christmas traditions.

Every year we hear about "The War on Christmas". Before going any further, two things should be clear - there has always been a War on Christ. Secondly, since the enemies of God can never AND WILL NEVER get to Christ, the proxy war has always been against true followers of His since 33 AD, when Jesus has been confirmed as crucified by both Roman documents, Josephus the secular historian and of course, the Bible.

Nativity Scenes or "creches" or the "Manger Scene"  are the biggest bone of contention among those pebbles thrown against those who celebrate the Birth of the Savior. But how did we actually get a "Nativity Scene", which is really nowhere in the Bible? Believe it or not, this goes back about 800 years to the great Francis of Assisi who in 1223 observed the same lack of love for the Savior and commercialism we see in modern times. He was stunned by the fact that gift giving was taking precedence (yes also in 1220's!!) over Jesus!

Francis was known for his love of animals and did not just create the first Nativity Scene, but the very first "Living Nativity Scene".  He had live animals in the cave and based his creation on his concept of the atmospherics in the birthplace of Christ in Bethlehem. We know from historical conditions around 4 BC to 2 BC, and from my conversations from centuries old families in the Bethlehem and fields of Boaz area, that Jesus was most likely born in a cave or grotto there. The well known shepherds of Bethlehem are still around in those ragged hills where the Choirs of Heaven sang the Saviors birth to the Shepherds in Luke 2. Visitors to the Holy Land can still experience the timeless authenticity of what the Bible spoke of two thousand years ago.

First Responder Chaplain, director of the Illinois Chapter of Wreaths
 across America at the Dedication to the United States Military

Over the years, it became obviously impossible to have live animals in every manger scene, every where. Therefore, all variations of nativity scenes have been created and many centuries old ones still survive to this day. For the last 8 years, a full size Italian Marble Nativity Scene has been placed in the Rotunda of the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield, Illinois. How is this possible when it is obviously a 100% Christian expression of Faith in a country increasingly hostile to Jesus and Christianity? 

Quite simply, the first in the Nation State Capitol Nativity Scene is a privately-funded expression idea of the late Daniel and Julie Zanoza of Lincoln, Illinois. Together with the Thomas More Society of Chicago, a religious liberty-defending Christian organization and the Illinois Family Institute, the Zanozas were able to form a committee of like-minded Christians to bring the Nativity Scene inside the "People's House" of the state of Illinois! Not just that, but it passed the test of the ACLU as it was one of many such expressions in the beginning, such as the Hanukkah Menorah and others. These others included Seinfeld's imaginary celebration of "Festivus" and its pole. There was an atheist's letter denouncing the existence of God and some others. Side by side, they all co-existed with the beautifully ordained and adorned Nativity Scene outshining them all. Not just that, they sat around the hugest Christmas tree I have ever seen - in the middle of the state capitol rotunda. This sort of religious expression would have made the Founders of this Great Condition smile with pride, as it was what America is all about - Freedom.

Over the years, only the Jewish Festive Menorah and our Nativity Scene have persevered and this is perfect as Christianity is actually a Judeo-Christian religion. Even Jesus celebrated Hanukkah in 29 AD! ("Now it was the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, and it was winter. And Jesus walked in the temple, in Solomon’s porch. John 10:22-23). Since Illinois has led the way in how to legally celebrate the Savior's birth in the public square (from 2008), ten other American states have followed, from Arkansas to Florida and Mississippi, under the counsel of the American Nativity Scene Committee of suburban Illinois. The Thomas More Society's Founder Thomas Brejcha is one of the leaders of this wonderful group.

In the last three years, Wreaths Across America has now joined us at the Springfield Nativity Scene Committee to partner in remembering and honoring the great United States Military with Christmas wreaths at National Cemeteries. In Springfield, this would be Camp Butler, which as been around since the Union fought the Civil War.  Representing Wreaths Across America, which places tens of thousands of these same sweet smelling natural wreaths at Arlington Cemetery, is Chaplain Steve Holden, of the United States Emergency Services Chaplains Corps. 

Each year, this first in the nation historical event, is celebrated with a full Christmas launch service with speakers and Christmas singers as well as the dedication of the wreaths with full military honors, on the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving. The Springfield Nativity Scene remains inside the state capitol in Springfield, Illinois, until Christmas Eve, for free public viewing.