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Zampognari are among the most well-known and beloved characters of the Neapolitan Nativity scene. But how did these figures so dear to folklore come about? Among the countless characteristic characters that animate the Neapolitan Nativity scene, there is a particular ‘couple’ that can never be…
In a small box or a mug, hung on the tree as decorations, or nestled in a walnut shell. Miniature Nativity Scenes are little treasures that warm the home and enhance the Christmas atmosphere. Who said that setting up a Nativity Scene at home requires…
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Choosing solidary gift ideas for Christmas is an ethical choice that brings joy and pleasure not only to those who will receive those gifts. It is precisely in the spirit of Christmas to choose gifts moved not only by the desire to please and amaze friends and relatives. We should be moved first and foremost by feelings, those towards people who are dear to us, but also by a broader sense of love, sharing, peace, respect for those who suffer, and even care for the environment and the planet where we live.
The exchange of gifts is just one of the most magical aspects of Christmas, it cannot be reduced only to a manifestation of consumerism. The custom of exchanging gifts at Christmas has its roots in traditions long before the birth of Jesus, therefore Christmas itself. For example, the ancient Romans celebrated the calends of January by exchanging the strenne, small gifts that usually branched consecrated to the gods, to wish each other a prosperous and happy new year, or figurines of the Lari, the protective spirits of the ancestors, to watch over the family. Also on the occasion of the Winter Solstice, during the banquets organised for the Saturnalia, fir branches, a symbol of eternal life and health, were given as gifts.
But the tradition of exchanging gifts as we know it derives largely from the birth of Jesus, and in particular from the gifts brought by the Magi to the hut of the Nativity: gold, incense and myrrh. Even in medieval times, the custom of giving gifts was widespread, especially to children, to remember the gesture of deference of the three wise men towards the Saviour.
What should you give at Christmas? Let’s see some supportive gift ideas for a more generous and mindful Christmas for everyone.
Among the many charities that can be supported with the purchase of solidarity gift ideas, the Nuovi Orizzonti Community founded by Chiara Amirante has been dealing with the less fortunate for more than twenty years, organising reception and recovery centres, intervening in all areas of social distress and offering support and solidarity to anyone in need in Italy and abroad.
In our online shop, you will find some products made for Nuovi Orizzonti by Italian goldsmiths, perfect as solidarity gifts. These are pendants, bracelets, small jewellery and wedding favour ideas. Buying them will help them finance their projects for the weakest.
The rose 925 silver necklace reproduces, for example, the silhouette of a small stylised and perforated angel, and is made of rose 925 silver by Italian goldsmiths. It is part of the Messengers of Jewellery collection, a jewellery brand designed by exclusive designers that collaborates with Nuovi Orizzonti to create and sell silver jewellery made to inspire faith and love to those who give and receive them. The 925 silver guardian angel with perforation and prayer of the Angel of God laser engraved on the back is also part of the same collection, to always remember that someone protects us at all times. All made in Italy the “Peace and Love” bracelet in turquoise alcantara with beads, a young and modern idea, while of great effect and elegance is the 925 silver slim rosary ring, with rhodium-plated finish and decorated with white zircons, made in Italy by specialised artisans. The surface decorated with small spherical reliefs makes it an excellent prayer ring, as well as a beautiful accessory to wear.
The Mato Grosso Project is a voluntary association that works around the world to help the poorest and most forgotten communities, supporting young people above all and helping them find work and build a better future. In addition to its commitment to evangelization, health, and infrastructure development, the Artesanos Don Bosco cooperative employs many young people, who produce beautiful religious bas-reliefs and wooden crucifixes entirely by hand. In our online shop, you will find a wide choice, and they are perfect as solidarity gift ideas.
The splendid bas-relief of the Nativity in lime and walnut wood has been produced entirely by hand in Peru by local artisans, at an altitude between 2800 and 3600 meters, and so has the Holy Family enclosed in a pair of hands, all in carved wood and painted with oil colours, or the Nativity in lenga wood (Nothofagus pumilio, a deciduous tree typical of South America) and hand-carved walnut, which depicts the stylised images of Joseph, Mary and the Child Jesus.
The finishing with water paint and the processing takes place by hand.
In addition to religious jewellery and charitable gifts, choosing products made in monasteries as Christmas gifts, whether they are liqueurs or jams, honey, candies, beauty products, Argan oil, or monastic beer, on the one hand, helps to economically support monastic communities and all the economic, social and beneficial realities supported by the latter, but also safeguards the traditions of local products. In addition, they are all produced with natural and genuine ingredients, made according to recipes and methods often handed down over the centuries, so the benefit will be even greater for everyone, the recipients of the gifts first!
Minimalist style and attention to natural materials. Spiral Christmas Trees are a modern trend, imbued with a distinctly Nordic flavour. When we talk about Spiral Christmas Trees, the first thought we associate with them is Scandinavian, or Nordic, style. Not because every Nordic-style Christmas Tree…
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Who doesn’t enjoy making the Nativity scene? For those born and raised in our country, this tradition is familiar and beloved from an early age. Christmas simply wouldn’t be Christmas without both the Christmas tree and the Nativity scene, or “Presepe.” In Latin, the terms *praesaepe* and *praesepium* were used interchangeably, both referring to the manger in which the newborn Jesus was laid. Over time, the term came to represent the entire scene of the Nativity, which the Nativity scene aims to recreate. Since then, this tradition has grown and evolved, encompassing a wide range of new forms. Today, we have many different types of Nativity scenes with varying styles, materials, and settings. Far from diminishing the power of this symbol of faith and devotion, the many types of Nativity scenes have enhanced this age-old practice, making it even more vibrant and meaningful. While the earliest Nativity scenes, such as the one set up by St. Francis at Greccio in 1223, were simple and focused solely on the essentials—the manger, the Holy Family, an ox and a donkey to keep them warm—over time, especially from the 17th century onward, new elements, characters, and scenes of daily life from various times and settings were added.
Today, we can choose from a wide range of Nativity models, depending on various factors, from our tastes and sensibilities to practical considerations. How much space do we have for setting up our complete Nativity scene? There are miniature Nativity scenes, with figures only a few centimetres high, perfect for small spaces, and then there are Nativities that occupy entire rooms, filled with characters, scenes, and intricate details.
Depending on the space available, you can decide how many figurines you’ll need. Some Nativity scenes include only the Holy Family and the ox and donkey, while others feature dozens of characters. There are large Nativity statues for grand displays—even outdoor ones—and small, complete Nativities that fit neatly on a shelf or in a box.
Another important factor is the material you choose, especially if there are young children or pets in the home. Fragile materials like terracotta, ceramic, and papier-mâché, or potentially hazardous ones, like some chemicals used for artificial snow that could harm pets, should be avoided. More durable materials like resin, plastic, or wood may be better options. With young children or active pets, you may end up finding sheep figurines in unexpected places around the house, but at least you’ll have a worry-free and joyful Christmas!
The types of Nativity scenes vary greatly, too. You could go for a traditional Nativity scene depicting an Arabian-Palestinian setting, which mirrors Bethlehem at the time of Jesus’ birth, or a Neapolitan Nativity, which brings to life characters and trades from 17th-century Naples.
At the Holyart store, you’ll find a wide selection of Nativity scenes to suit every style and taste. Available in different models and materials, they offer complete or modular solutions for small or large displays, with groups of figures, buildings, and all kinds of accessories.
The Arabian-Palestinian Nativity scene reflects the authentic setting of the Nativity. According to the Gospels, Jesus was born in Bethlehem, present-day Palestine, about 10 km south of Jerusalem. It was also the city where David was born and where the Messiah was prophesied to be born. The Arabian setting, with sand dunes, oases with palm trees, a vast starry sky, minarets, small villages perched on rocky hills, marketplaces with stalls and shops, and white houses with arches and domes, is thus the closest to the scene of Jesus’ birth. In an Arabian Nativity, the characters wear traditional clothing of the era and region—flowing robes, tunics, barefoot or in simple sandals.
If space is limited, a Miniature Nativity Scene may be ideal. These small-scale representations of the Nativity come in various styles, from classic to modern, and materials like metal, resin, terracotta, or wood. Everything is scaled down but retains its charm and symbolism. Even with just a few centimetres, a miniature Nativity holds all the spiritual significance of a full-sized one. It’s perfect for anyone who wants to keep things small or display it on a child- or pet-safe surface. Some miniatures come in jars or small containers, making them truly delightful display pieces.
The Neapolitan Nativity tradition is one of the oldest and most established in our country. Even today, Naples is renowned worldwide for its craftsmanship in Nativity scenes, particularly along the historic Via San Gregorio Armeno, where artisans have been crafting Nativity figures for centuries. Originally commissioned by churches and religious orders, the Neapolitan Nativity soon became popular in aristocratic homes as a symbol of status and an art form. In addition to traditional shepherds, the Nativity brings to life an array of characters and trades, from fishermen to carpenters, florists to pizzaioli! Each figure carries a deeper meaning that transcends its role or trade, rooted in local folklore and legend. Many figurines remain unique, handcrafted from terracotta and clothed in shaped fabric.
A stylised Nativity need not be sparse or impersonal. In our store, we offer a range of stylised Nativities, capable of expressing deep spirituality. You’ll find porcelain ones by the artist Francesco Pinton, whose work brings a unique softness to this durable material, as well as Russian originals painted by Orthodox artisans and Nativity scenes in metal.
Another form of handcrafted Nativity is the Nordic style from Val Gardena. This tradition, passed down by German and Italian artisans for generations, creates Alpine and Scandinavian-inspired scenes featuring chalets, wooden cabins, barns, hives, sledges, and all sorts of Nordic touches.
Terracotta is not only used for Neapolitan Nativity figures. This material has also been long cherished by the artisans of Deruta, a town known for its terracotta art. Our store offers a range of handmade Deruta terracotta Nativity scenes, with high-quality materials and artisanal craftsmanship. Choose painted or natural pieces ready for you to customise for a truly unique Nativity.
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Creating a DIY Nativity Scene isn’t an impossible task. It only requires a bit of imagination, a minimal amount of planning skills, and just enough dexterity to work with cardboard and scissors, straw and moss, paint, hot glue, and some lights. That’s right; only a few materials are needed to build a step-by-step Nativity Scene that’s quick and easy, with some items you can easily find at home and others that are extremely affordable, available in our online store. We have always encouraged our readers to choose economical and personalised solutions, as shown in our guides on how to create a DIY Nativity Scene. Making a Nativity Scene at home can be an exciting experience, especially if children are involved in the process. This setup becomes not only a creative moment but also one of sharing, embodying the true spirit of Christmas, a season of anticipation and unity with loved ones.
Today, we’ll discuss how to make a Nativity Scene at home with three essential elements: cardboard and cork to create the base and buildings for your Nativity Scene; straw and moss to enrich the background and recreate a realistic landscape; and DIY Nativity Scene lighting, because at Christmas, there can never be too much light.
This implies an initial planning phase, including choosing where to position the Nativity Scene, deciding what surface to set it up on (a table, a shelf, or even a basket or box), determining how large it should be, whether it should contain only the Nativity or include various scenes and characters, and so forth. When considering how to make a Nativity Scene at home, it can be helpful to draw a sketch of what you want to create so that you have a visual guide to work from. With a few tips and a bit of patience, you’ll discover how to craft an unforgettable artisanal Nativity Scene.
The DIY Nativity scene illustrated in 10 simple steps
The time to organise our DIY Christmas Nativity scene is approaching. Here’s a…
The first thing to consider when setting up a homemade Nativity Scene is the base that will hold it. By base, we mean both the support on which we will place the buildings and characters that make up our setting and the backdrop that will frame the entire scene. In our store, you will find a wide selection of bases and backdrops for Nativity Scenes, with solutions for every need and budget, from rolls of Nativity Scene backdrop paper to panels, and from backdrops painted with a starry sky to Arabic landscapes. Cork panels and sheets for Nativity Scenes are versatile and can be used for many different purposes. Some cork sheets are pre-crafted to imitate the paving of a street, with a mosaic design that looks like uneven, polished stones with deep gaps between them. But with the same cork sheets, as well as other cork panel that resemble rocky surfaces, you can create all kinds of buildings. Cork is a lightweight material, easy to cut and work with. It can be used on its own or glued to a cardboard backing to recreate walls, arches, caves, and anything that can enhance and characterise the Nativity Scene’s landscape. All you’ll need is a sharp cutter and a bit of hot glue to shape the cork and adhere it as you like. This way, you can achieve highly realistic and striking effects.
Typically, homemade Nativity Scenes favour natural materials, like wood, cork, bark, rocks, and pebbles. We’ve already seen how cork can be used as an excellent base, both for flooring and for the walls of houses and other architectural elements, as well as for caves and rocky formations. To lend greater realism to the Nativity Scene setting, whether it is a classic scene in Arabic-Palestinian style or a Neapolitan Nativity Scene, natural elements that recreate vegetation are essential. Trees and plants, as well as moss, lichens, and straw, will be very useful both for the flooring of the Nativity Scene and for decorations. In our store, you’ll find synthetic or natural moss for the Nativity Scene that is essential. We always remind you, however, that moss is a delicate element, vital for soil conservation and the growth of countless plants. In many areas, it is prohibited to collect it, and to avoid fines and issues, it is advisable to buy Nativity Scene moss from authorised sellers. In our store, you will find both natural moss, treated and dried properly, and synthetic moss for Nativity Scenes, ready to decorate the hut and other elements safely. Using artificial moss for the Nativity Scene instead of real moss will also save you the worry of what to do when it’s time to store the Nativity Scene in the attic until next Christmas. In any case, we refer you to our article on how to best preserve Nativity Scene moss from year to year.
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Nativity Scene lights are usually the finishing touch, yet also essential to make your display truly spectacular. Nothing too flashy is necessary, and flashing, colourful lights are best avoided. The Nativity Scene aims to recreate a realistic setting, capturing the magic of a still, silent night. Ideally, a single string of warm LED lights should be used, which can also be run behind the houses to give the effect of them being lit from within. By using coloured transparent paper, you can also create effects like the glow of a fire. Alternatively, you can choose from a variety of Christmas lights and light decorations available in our store to create customised lighting effects for your Nativity Scene to suit every need.
The scarabattola is midway between the devotional image and the art object. This is how this ancient and still current art was born. The name scarabattola has a bizarre, even funny sound, especially considering that what it refers to as funny really has nothing at…
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We are all familiar with the traditional commemoration of the dead, celebrated every year on 2 November, the day after All Saints’ Day. From a young age, many of us may have seen our families bustling between chrysanthemums and moments of prayer, and we were almost certainly taken to the cemetery, which is never as crowded as it is in the unexpected chill of the first days of November. When we asked why we had to do this, the answer, which sounded mysterious and somewhat sinister to our young ears, was: “It’s the Day of the Dead.”
In reality, the Commemoratio Omnium Fidelium Defunctorum is a very important event for the Catholic Church, which counts it among its Solemnities – one of the most significant liturgical celebrations, especially after the liturgical reform of the Roman Rite initiated by the Second Vatican Council. Previously, if 2 November fell on a Sunday, the Commemoration of the Dead was moved to the following day, as Sunday always took precedence.
As the name suggests, the Commemoration of the Dead, or the Day of the Dead, serves to remember the deceased – not only our loved ones, relatives, or friends we’ve lost. On this day, which is a celebration despite its sorrowful appearance, prayers are offered for the souls of all the dead, helping with their potential passage through Purgatory. It is, in fact, a Solemnity of Byzantine origin, rooted in the truth of faith in the Apostles’ Creed, particularly in the communion of saints. This belief holds that Christians are not to be seen as individuals, but as integral parts of the mystical body of the risen Jesus Christ, in the remission of sins, allowing access to the Kingdom of Heaven, and in the Resurrection of the flesh, where at the end of time, all the dead will rise and souls and bodies will reunite. Indeed, the final part of the Creed reads:
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Holy Catholic Church, the Communion of Saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting. Amen.
But at the heart of the Commemoration of the Dead lies the hope and deeply human desire to embrace our deceased loved ones again one day. For believers, death is just a transition – the beginning of a loving and faithful wait that will reunite us in the ultimate encounter with those we love.
The liturgical colours for this celebration are purple and black.
Since the Commemoration of the Dead requires prayerful preparation, from 24 October, people may begin to recite the Novena for the dead.
And what about the chrysanthemum? Known in other countries as the sixteen-petalled daisy, this peculiar flower blooms right at this time of year. It is a short-day plant, meaning it flowers when the days grow shorter, and the hours of darkness exceed nine per day.
It is also interesting to note how, over the centuries, the Day of the Dead has taken on various characteristics, often blending with pagan and folkloric traditions of the countries reached by the Catholic Faith. Traditions around the world vary greatly, such as the picturesque Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) in Mexican culture, where graves are decorated with flowers and gifts, food, toys, and even alcohol are placed upon them. In every household, an altar for the dead is set up, and families await their deceased relatives to visit those still living.
When did Italy begin celebrating the Day of the Dead on 2 November?
The last days of October and the first of November have always been considered propitious for the dead and thus dedicated to celebrations in their honour. This preference stems from the belief that the Great Flood occurred at this time of year.
According to the Byzantines, however, the commemoration of the dead should take place between late January and early February, on the Saturday before *Sexagesima* Sunday, two weeks before Lent, around sixty days before Easter.
St Augustine urged the faithful to pray for the dead not only on the anniversary of their death but also on other dedicated days.
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In 998, Abbot St. Odilo of Cluny, a key figure in the Cluniac reforms of the Benedictine order, introduced several innovations, including that after Vespers on 1 November, the bells of Cluny Abbey should toll for the dead. The following day, he celebrated mass offering the Eucharist pro requie omnium defunctorum – for the souls of all the dead. From then on, the Day of the Dead was fixed on 2 November.
There are many Italian traditions associated with the commemoration of the dead. In Sicily, the festival has its roots in pre-Christian rites and the Roman cult of the Lares, the ancestral spirits who watched over and protected the gens and the familia. On the night of All Saints, the dead are said to visit the homes of their relatives, leaving gifts for children along with the traditional sweets for the dead: *frutta di Martorana* (marzipan fruits), *pupi di zucchero* (sugar figurines), and biscuits called “bones of the dead”.
In Puglia, as in Mexico, people believe that on All Saints’ night, the dead return to visit their relatives and friends. Thus, the table is set for them with bread, water, and wine. In some areas, pumpkins are carved, like the Halloween tradition, and children receive sweets and gifts left for them by deceased relatives in stockings hung around the house. The table set for the dead can also be found in parts of Trentino, Piedmont, and Valle d’Aosta, while in the province of Cremona, beds are prepared for the dead.
In some areas of Lombardy, people make sure the returning dead have water to drink, leaving fresh water for them, while in Friuli, bread and a lit candle are left.
In Tuscany, there is the tradition of the Ben d’i morti: those who have lost a loved one give food to the needy. Young children wear the sfilza, a necklace of boiled chestnuts and apples, but in the past, the ben dei morti was a mix of beans, chestnuts, and dried figs, given to children going door to door, just like today’s trick-or-treaters. Remember that children dressed as ghosts represent the souls of the dead, asking for gifts and remembrance. In Sardinia, children go from house to house with faces smeared with charcoal, asking for sweets and dried fruit while chanting, “Seus benius po is animeddas” (we have come for the souls) or “mi das fait po praxeri is animeddas?” (will you give me something for the good of the souls?).
In some regions, people not only visit the cemetery to bring chrysanthemums and pray but also to eat, just as they do in Mexico. In particular, fava beans, always considered a sacred food and thus suitable for funeral ceremonies and banquets, are eaten. In Liguria, dried fava beans called bacilli are prepared, along with boiled chestnuts (balletti). There are also many fava-shaped sweets, such as the stinchetti dei morti in Umbria.
In addition to Italian customs, there are many fascinating traditions for the Day of the Dead worldwide. Aside from the aforementioned Mexican Día de los Muertos, which is so unique that it has been recognised by UNESCO as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, there’s the grand Creole carnival in New Orleans, America’s most haunted city due to its long-standing tradition of witchcraft and voodoo. In Ireland, the Celtic Samhain, which has evolved into Halloween and was exported to America, is still widely celebrated. Large bonfires are lit to ward off bad luck and evil spirits, people dress as monsters, pumpkins (once turnips) are carved, and the dead and spirits are honoured.
In contrast, celebrations in the East are quite different. In Thailand, Boon Para Wate takes place between June and July, featuring three days of torch-lit parades, music, and dancing, but also moments of prayer, meditation, and reflection. In China, Qingming (Tomb-Sweeping Day) is celebrated from 4 to 6 April, during which the whole family gathers to clean the graves of their ancestors, consuming only cold food as lighting fires is forbidden.
In Guatemala, All Saints’ Day and the Day of the Dead are marked by the building of enormous kites during the Festival de Barriletes Gigantes.
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There is no Christmas without Nativity scenes. This is a reality. Especially for believers, for those who live this Feast not only from the point of view of family traditions and unrepeatable atmospheres but also animated by faith, by the sense of wonder and expectation that is repeated every year, in the commemoration of the birth of Jesus, the Nativity scene takes on a spiritual value that goes beyond a simple custom handed down over time. Nothing is left to chance when it comes to how to set up a Nativity scene, whether it is a DIY Nativity scene or a purchased one: which characters cannot be missing and how they should be arranged, where to place it, when to build it and how much to disassemble it, and so on.
Here is a series of questions and answers to understand how to build a Nativity scene in your home, to celebrate the Nativity even more faithfully.
In a previous article, we mentioned the first Nativity scene of Saint Francis. It was 1223 and the poor man of Assisi, returning from Rome where the Pope had confirmed the Franciscan rule, stopped along the way in Greccio, a small village near Rieti. Here some caves reminded him of his trip to the Holy Land and inspired by this vision he decided to set up the first Nativity scene in history, to show the locals what the birth of our Lord had been like, in a cold cave, heated only by the breath of an ox and a donkey that breathed into the manger in which he had been laid. Thus was born the first living Nativity scene, which immediately attracted a crowd of faithful gathered on Christmas night to celebrate the birth of Jesus and receive the Eucharist.
The Nativity Scene of Greccio: the Nativity Scene of San Francesco
What is the nativity scene’s history? Where does this tradition that we…
Tradition has it that the Nativity scene will be set up by mid-December, then during the time of Advent. Usually many take advantage of 8 December, when the Immaculate Conception of Mary is celebrated, taking advantage of the holiday. In some areas, however, the Nativity scene must be ready by 29 November, when the Novena of the Immaculate Conception begins. There’s actually no rush, as long as you’re ready for 25 December. Of course, if you are going to build your own homemade Nativity scene, you should move in time and maybe help yourself with one of our agile guides on how to make a DIY Nativity scene.
How to build a DIY nativity scene: a mini guide
We talk about Christmas again. Lights, decorated trees, all the symbols we love so much, which comfort our hearts with the hope of rebirth…
When thinking about how to set up a Nativity scene, the first thing to think about is where we plan to make it. There are endless solutions, more or less imaginative, Nativity ideas of all sizes and for all pockets, from a room dedicated to a walnut shell! In principle, for a medium-sized domestic Nativity scene, with purchased or homemade elements, you should choose a central position concerning the house, but, at the same time, that does not create impediments to the normal course of daily life, such as the living room or the kitchen. We will then have to take into account the presence of small children or animals, and then choose a space that can be protected and made inaccessible. Finally, we will have to consider lighting, whether natural or artificial.
As we have already explained, the Nativity scene is a celebration of the birth of Jesus. In practice, for Christians, it expresses all the will to renew at every Christmas, year after year, century after century, the miracle of the incarnation of Christ who became man on a cold winter night to bring hope and salvation to humanity. This is and remains the true meaning of the Nativity scene, beyond the folkloric contaminations, the influences brought by popular devotion, which have also further enriched this tradition of a spiritual and religious yearning that involves adults and children and recreates every year a climate of expectation and wonder in the houses and places of worship where Nativity scenes are set up.
The accounts about the birth of Jesus in the Gospel of Luke and that of Matthew do not specify where Jesus was really born, whether in a cave, a hut, or a stable. Luke only speaks of a manger, where the Holy Child would have been deposed immediately after birth. We also know that Joseph had to travel to Bethlehem to fulfil his duties regarding a census called by the Emperor, and this while Mary, his wife, was pregnant. Since they could not find lodging for the night, and since Mary had arrived at the moment of childbirth, the two would find refuge in a place where the animals were placed for the night, which in the Palestine of the time were indistinctly stables or wooden buildings resting or even carved into the rock. So regardless of a hut or a cave, the really important thing is the presence of the manger. In fact, the true meaning of why Jesus was born in such a humble place lies precisely in the will of the evangelists to place His coming away from the palaces of power, from the places where kings and tetrarchs and emperors established the destiny of men. Jesus was born on a cold night and as soon as he was born he was laid in a manger, he became flesh and blood in the most humble of contexts just for us, to save us from evil and sin, to bring us the hope of eternal life. This is also why Saint Francis decided to commemorate this miraculous event by having his Nativity scene set up by simple people for simple people.
All the characters of the Nativity scene have a particular and unique meaning, especially when we talk about the Neapolitan Nativity scene with its many characters. But some figurines of the Nativity scene just can’t be missing:
The cave or hut of the Nativity must occupy a prominent place in our Nativity scene since it is the fulcrum around which the entire scene is gathered. Inside the hut, we will then have to arrange the manger destined to welcome the Child Jesus in the centre, with the Virgin Mary on the right of Jesus (therefore on the left for the beholder), and Saint Joseph on the left (on the right for the beholder). This predominant role of Mary is linked to Marian theology, for which she is the Mother of Jesus and Mother of the Church.
The arrangement of the figurines of the characters of the Nativity scene depends a lot on personal taste and also on geometric issues. If we want to create a Nativity scene on several planes, with different depths, we will have to put the largest figurines in front of us and put them smaller as we go towards the bottom, to give a sense of perspective realism. As for the tradition and symbolism of the characters, the shepherds and peasants with their herds, which symbolise the faithful, are usually placed to the left of the hut of the Nativity, together with the animals, a symbol of sacrifice. The Magi will arrive instead from the right.
At the top of the scene will be Gabriel, the Angel of the Annunciation, along with any other angels, and the comet star, guide of the shepherds and the Magi in Bethlehem, but also a point of union between heaven and earth.
Tradition has it that the Child Jesus is placed in the manger at midnight on 24 December, the night of Christmas Eve. It should be placed by the youngest child in the house, or the oldest person. Alternatively, you can place the figurine of Jesus in the manger from the beginning, covered with some paper or cloth, and discover it on the night of Eve.
The comet star in the Nativity scene probably corresponds to a real astronomical phenomenon that took place in the days immediately before or after the birth of Jesus. Perhaps a conjunction of planets, a particularly bright constellation, or Halley’s comet. Leaving aside scientific explanations, in ancient biblical prophecies the star was the symbol of the coming of the Messiah, and his presence in the sky on the night of Jesus’ birth would confirm his identity, especially for the Magi who, knowing these prophecies, set off precisely following the star. But even the shepherds were attracted by the shining star to the hut where the Holy Child had just been born.
The Magi arrived at the Bethlehem hut on 6 January, the twelfth night after Christmas, according to tradition, and it is on this date, which coincides with the Epiphany, that they must be placed next to the hut of the Nativity. According to the Gospel of Matthew, they set out long before the birth of Jesus, leaving the East for Jerusalem to worship the “King of the Jews” promised by the prophecies and announced by the appearance in heaven of a dazzling star.
The Three Kings must be positioned to the right, for the viewer, concerning the hut of the Nativity, as well as St. Joseph and the donkey. In many cases, they are brought gradually, on their mounts, and then they are gradually brought closer to the cave until they are placed in front of the manger on the evening of the Epiphany.
The Magi bring as a gift gold, incense and myrrh, symbols respectively of the royal nature of Christ (gold was a very precious material reserved for kings), of His sacred nature (incense was burned to honour the gods) and of His human nature (myrrh was used to perfume the body and hair of men, as well as to prepare the dead for burial).
Gold, incense and myrrh: the gifts that the three Magi Kings brought to the Infant Jesus
The Magi, fascinating and evocative figures of the Christmas tradition…
When do you disassemble the Nativity scene? Traditionally, it should be removed on 2 February, Candlemas Day, which celebrates the presentation of Jesus in the Temple and would be the true end of the Christmas holidays. In fact, Mary could not have accompanied her Child to the Temple in Jerusalem first, because according to Jewish law, a woman who gave birth to a male child had to wait 40 days, before she could enter Time and purify herself.
Presentation of Jesus at the temple until the feast of Candlemas
The presentation of Jesus to the temple is celebrated on February 2. Also known as the Feast of the Purification of Mary, or Candlemas…
From eco-friendly Christmas trees to DIY decorations, recycled candles, and waste-free festive feasts, here’s a small guide for a sustainable Christmas—for us and the planet. Christmas is a time when many feel they can bring out the best in themselves, both for themselves and for…
The Black Madonna of the Sanctuary on the Guardia hill in Bologna is one of the sacred images attributed to Saint Luke. Here is its history. There are many depictions of the Madonna directly attributed to Saint Luke. Think of the Black Virgin of Czestochowa,…
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We often hear about dogmas, those absolute and indispensable truths revealed by God, which every Christian must believe as part of their faith. Although the Greek term dógma or dokein, from the verb δοκέω (dokéō), originally meant “to seem,” it was almost immediately used to denote “decree” in legal language and later “doctrine” in religious contexts. Thus, for the Church, dogma is not an option or a point of view, but an indisputable principle that underpins the faith and belief of an individual and the community of believers to which they belong.
In the early centuries of Christianity, the Greek and later Latin Church Fathers used the term dogma to indicate what is required for Christian faith and practice, and subsequently, the word came to be identified with the Doctrine of the Gospel itself. In the medieval period, it was replaced by the synonym articulus fidei (article of faith). From the Council of Trent (1545-1563) onwards, also in opposition to the assertions of the Protestant Reformers, the term began to be used to indicate a truth of faith, a rule sanctioned by Christ and transmitted by the Apostles, and as such, incontrovertible. From the 18th century, dogma took on its current meaning of doctrinal formula, and with the First Vatican Council (1868) came the precise definition of: “authentic proclamation by the Magisterium of what is contained in the Scriptures.”
The main differences between Catholics and Protestants
The differences between Catholics and Protestants are fundamental to the history of the Christian religion and the birth…
Dogmas have been compiled in the Catechism, and there is a strong link between them and the Magisterium of the Church, which is the custodian and interpreter of them. Through the Magisterium, the Church can also establish new dogmas, which are not true additions but clarifications and interpretations useful for addressing certain circumstances, including historical ones. The difference between the deposit of faith, the revelation of all the truths taught to the Apostles by Jesus, entrusted to the Church to safeguard and transmit, and dogma, the proclamation by the Church of the content of the faith, has also been established.
Thus, today we understand dogmas as revealed truths of faith by God, transmitted by Jesus to the Apostles, and then handed down by the episcopal college, the successor of the apostolic college, under the aegis of the Pope (ordinary Magisterium); or definitions expressed by the Pope with an ex Cathedra statement, not debated in any council, in the name of the principle of papal infallibility (extraordinary Magisterium).
The first dogmas, enunciated in the first seven Ecumenical Councils (between 325 AD and 787 AD), concern truths about God, the Trinity, and Jesus Christ, and require our unconditional assent and total obedience:
– God is one and threefold
– Jesus Christ is the only-begotten Son of God, begotten
– Jesus Christ is true God and true man
Other dogmas were then proclaimed over the centuries, such as the existence of Purgatory (1439-1563), Transubstantiation (1215), and Papal Infallibility (1870), totaling 44 pronouncements collected in 8 thematic grades.
Marian dogmas deserve a separate discussion. For the Catholic Church, Mary of Nazareth is:
– Mother of God (Theotokos)
– Ever Virgin (Aeipárthenos)
– Full of grace, filled with God’s grace (Kecharitoméne) and preserved intact from any stain of original sin
– Assumed into heaven, body and soul (Kóimesis, immersed in the sleep of death)
These definitions of the Virgin translate into the four Marian dogmas recognised by the Church:
– Mary, Mother of God
– Perpetual Virginity of Mary
– Immaculate Conception
– Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
These truths were not invented by the Church over the centuries but were drawn from Sacred Scriptures and thus adhere to the requirements needed for a truth to be considered a dogma.
There are also other Marian truths recognised by the extraordinary Magisterium of the Church, even if not solemnly proclaimed, which see the Madonna endowed by Divine Will with the mission of Co-Redemptrix, Mediatrix, Advocate, playing a fundamental role in the history of salvation. In general, we can say that Marian dogmas are of primary importance in the Christian formation of every believer, as Mary has always represented the ultimate intermediary between God and mankind, and as such, all the gifts of grace given to her represent a promise of hope and salvation for each person.
Here is the explanation of the four Marian dogmas:
As the mother of Jesus, who is God, according to the dogma of the Trinity, Mary is the Holy Mother of God. This dogma was recognised and proclaimed as early as 431 AD, during the Council of Ephesus, the third ecumenical council, and was the first truth officially recognised by the Church. It represents the first and most significant contact Mary had with God, at the moment when she accepted the mission that the Almighty had prepared for her. Mary, the daughter of God, could not generate her own Creator, but she contributed with her flesh and life to bring Jesus into the world, the human incarnation of the Word, the second Person of the Most Holy Trinity. As is the case with most dogmas, references to the Madonna as the true mother of Jesus, who is also referred to with divine attributes, are found in the Sacred Scriptures. The assertions of Christ’s divinity and Mary’s divine maternity are inevitably consequent. Already in 325 AD, Mary is defined as Theotokos, “Mother of God.”
The recognition of the divine maternity of Mary, the most holy mother of God, was against the heresy of those who, recognising only the humanity of the Word, saw the Madonna as the mother of Christ but not the mother of God. For the Church, the two natures of Jesus, divine and human, are perfect and united in a single person. From the Second Vatican Council onwards, Mary’s maternity becomes central to the concept of the promise of salvation, due to her role not only as a mother but also as a teacher and spiritual support to Jesus throughout His life and mission.
The Council of Constantinople in 553 AD decreed the Perpetual Virginity of Mary. The significance of this dogma is twofold: it represents Mary’s absolute and perpetual bodily integrity, but also the virginity of her soul, united to the Lord in the most sacred and pure of bonds. The Madonna never ceased to be a virgin, even though she conceived a child and gave birth to him in pain, like all women. But all this happened through the power of the Holy Spirit, without physical corruption; indeed, at the moment Mary conceived and gave birth to Jesus, she was so consecrated to God that she was even more pure, even more chaste. Therefore, although a mother, she can embody more than any other woman an ideal of purity and chastity. In traditional iconography, the perpetual virginity of Mary, virginitas ante partum, in partu, and post partum, is represented by three stars adorning her cloak.
The dogma of the Immaculate Conception, celebrated by the Church on December 8, the feast of the Immaculate Conception, establishes that, although conceived and born of mortal parents (Saint Anne and Saint Joachim), the Virgin Mary was born pure, never tainted by original sin, unlike all other men and women. Proclaimed by Pope Pius IX in 1854 with the bull Ineffabilis Deus, this dogma not only signifies the absence of original sin in Mary but also her being full of grace, the only creature conceived, born, and lived in total love of God, in the fullness of His will, to which she entrusted herself completely. God’s great plan of Salvation passes through the Immaculate Conception, as Mary was created from the beginning of time to fulfill her role as the mother of Jesus.
The story of Saint Anne Mother of Mary
On July 26, St. Anne and St. Joachim, the parents of the Virgin Mary, are celebrated…
Unique among the Apostles and all the Saints, and in unity with Her Son Jesus, Mary was taken up to Heaven, body and soul, a messenger of hope for all humanity, pure among the pure. The Assumption of Mary into Heaven is a dogma solemnly proclaimed on 1 November 1950 by Pope Pius XII, who exercised the prerogative of papal infallibility, and is celebrated each year on 15 August, the Feast of the Assumption of Mary into Heaven. In many ways, this dogma represents the fulfilment and culmination of the previous Marian dogmas. Mary ascends to Heaven because she is the Mother of God, because she is the Ever-Virgin, because she is Immaculate. She ascends to Heaven primarily because of her unique and special bond with Jesus, for her role as Co-Redemptrix where He was Redeemer. Her ascent to Heaven celebrates the redemption of humanity, drawn into sin by one woman, Eve, and elevated to the grace of Paradise by another woman, in the triumph over sin and death willed by Christ for all humanity. The dogma of the Immaculate Conception declares Christ’s victory over sin through His mother, while the Assumption signifies His victory over death. It serves as a reminder and a call for all Christians to remember that our earthly experience is merely a passage, that we are destined to survive and be resurrected in soul and body, when the Time comes, just like the Mother of Jesus. And this hope transcends every other mystery.
The Assumption of Mary and the most characteristic celebrations
15 August is not just an occasion for partying and outings…
