And yet these nativity scenes aren’t much more far-fetched than the traditional ones. Christmas, like many other holidays, is a social ritual informed by some mix of religion and folklore.

Nativity scenes: Miniatures of the very first Christmas 05:21. The birth of Jesus is what Christmas is all about. Though with all the frantic shopping and stocking stuffing, it's often overlooked.

GALICIA, Spain — A babbling creek and robotic sheep are modern touches in the Christmas Nativity scene displayed in the San Vicente de La Baña church built in the 1700s. But the purpose of the ...

The only historical account we have of Francis’ nativity scene comes from The Life of St. Francis of Assisi by St. Bonaventure, a Franciscan monk who was born five years before Francis’ death.

Since 1962, a sweeping life-sized Nativity Scene — depicting numerous figures, but focused on the Holy Family of Mary, Joseph and, beginning on Christmas Eve, the infant Jesus — has been one ...

The Christmas 2023 Nativity scene at the Vatican will evoke the first-ever live manger, which was created by St. Francis of Assisi in Italy in the 1200s, the Vatican said Monday.