In the Christian tradition, the Christmas nativity scene is a static composition depicting, with the help of sculptures or carvings, the scene of the birth of Christ in a manger and nativity scene. For the first time, such nativity scenes appeared in the Latin West in Italy in the 13th century and owed their appearance to St. Francis of Assisi, who believed that such compositions would more displace the emphasis of the Christmas holiday from traditions and festivities to worship the Infant Jesus. From there, Christmas nativity scenes are gradually becoming popular in other European countries. In Ukraine, such products have been known since the beginning of the XVII century. From that time they began to be installed in Orthodox churches.
Materials and composition
Figures for the Christmas nativity scenes were usually carved from soft wood and painted. If the it was massive and large, then plaster sculptures were often used. Modern nativity scenes are made of all possible materials. Among the main characters of the composition are the Divine Infant Christ, the Virgin Mary and Joseph. In addition, usually also there are statues of shepherds and eastern sages who came to worship the newborn God. Next to them are animals: the ox and the donkey, which warmed Jesus by their breath, as well as the sheep who came with the shepherds. In some Italian churches you can see nativity scenes with many figures that describe in more detail all the events of the Nativity of Christ. Some of them are mechanized and perform various actions: bowing or folding hands in prayer. In the Orthodox Church, a nativity scene can also contain elements of iconography, when some of the characters are painted and some are made in the form of three-dimensional figures.
Christmas theatre in Ukraine
In Ukraine, chests with Nativity scenes, which were a puppet theater, were also common. On the second floor of such a theater, the classic plot of the Nativity of Christ was shown, and on the first floor - more popular secular comedy performances. The national theater-nativity scene, in which students of the Kiev-Mohyla Academy took part, has also been known since the middle of the 17th century. Now this tradition is continued by many Sunday schools attached to churches, whose pupils are surely preparing to play the events of this great holiday of Christmas.
Where can you buy a nativity scene for Christmas?
In the Axios online store you can buy a Christmas nativity scene of various sizes, according to the needs of your temple. Also here you can buy a nativity scene for the house to decorate your prayer corner for the Christmas holiday. In addition, in our store you have the opportunity to buy figurines for handmade Christmas nativity scene. We work only with the best suppliers and guarantee high quality products. Our nativity scene will help you and your loved ones feel the joy of Christmas on a festive evening.
