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Origins -

According to the book ‘The Life of St. Francis of Assisi’ by Franciscan monk St. Bonaventure, the first Nativity scene dates back to 1223.

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Origins -

The book says that St. Francis of Assisi was allowed by Pope Honorious III to set up a manger with hay and two live animals in a cave in Greccio, Italy. St. Francis then invited the locals to visit the scene while he preached about “the babe of Bethlehem.”

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Healing hay -

According to St. Bonaventure’s book, the hay used by St. Francis had the power to cure local cattle diseases.

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Popular -

In the following centuries, the Nativity scene spread throughout Europe. The cast of characters grew over the years to include the three wise men, shepherds, villagers, and more animals, among others.

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Art -

The Nativity scene has since then become a Christmas classic, with artists depicting it in paintings, living scenes, and Nativity plays in theaters.

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United Kingdom -

Pictured: wax statues of celebrities depicted as Nativity scene figures at Madame Tussauds museum in London, England.

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Spain -

A figure known as the caganer (a figurine depicted defecating) became popular in Nativity scenes in the Catalonia region of Spain. The tradition dates back to the 18th century.

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USA -

Pictured: a Nativity scene depicts Jesus, Mary, and Joseph separated and locked in cages, as if they were asylum seekers detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

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USA -

The scene was depicted at Claremont United Methodist Church on December 9, 2019, in Claremont, California. The Church has assisted asylum seekers at the U.S.-Mexico border.

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China -

Donations are left in a Nativity scene on the outskirts of Beijing, China.

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Senegal -

The Keur Moussa abbey church fresco was painted by Dom Georges Saget in 1963.

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Czech Republic -

A Nativity scene made with 138 life-size wooden figurines carved by Jiri Halouzka in Jirikov, north Moravia, Czech Republic.

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Italy -

A bright Nativity scene in front of the Monument to the Unknown Soldier, on December 15, 2011 in Rome, Italy.

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Germany -

A Nativity scene on display at Cologne Cathedral in Cologne, Germany.

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Turkey -

A Nativity Byzantine fresco (12th century), at Karanlik Kilise ("Dark Church") in Göreme, Turkey.

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Palestine -

A Nativity scene is set up in Manger Square near the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, where, according to the Bible, Jesus was born.

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Philippines -

A Nativity scene is set up on the balcony of a house in Mandaluyong, a suburb of Manila in the Philippines.

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Italy -

Nativity figurines with face masks in San Gregorio Armeno, a monastery in Naples, Italy.

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Sri Lanka -

Local Christians admire a Nativity scene during Christmas mass in Colombo, Sri Lanka on December 25, 2010.

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Ukraine -

A Nativity scene inside St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery, in Kiev, Ukraine.

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Sudan -

A detail of the fresco from the Cathedral of Faras in Sudan is displayed in the Sudan National Museum, in Khartoum.

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USA -

Former First Lady of the United States Rosalynn Carter stands by a Nativity scene at the White House on December 12, 1978.

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Spain -

A Nativity scene set up inside an aquarium in the L'Oceanogràfic, an oceanarium in Valencia, Spain.

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Vatican City -

Pope Francis stands in front of a Nativity scene on December 12, 2018, at the Vatican.

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USA -

A live Nativity scene outside of the U.S. Supreme Court on December 12, 2018.

Sources: (Grunge) (U.S. Catholic) (Smithsonian Magazine) (Slate)

See also: Christmas controversies that shocked the world

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