The first Nativity Scene was a live one created by Saint Francis of Assisi in 1223. He wanted to promote the reverence of the Christian family and had villagers with animals recreate the birth of Jesus.

This became wildly popular all over the Christian world, but especially in Europe where it gets colder in the winter the further north you get. So there is a limit to this kind of performance.

Naturally it then evolved with human size figures mainly out-doors and with smaller figurines you can have in-doors and which can be there for a longer period without nourishment or sleep. Please see our other books on Nativities, in Spain and Central Europe,

We wish all a Merry Christmas and hope you will enjoy our selection of photos.