Nativities are a very popular part of outdoor Christmas decor for many Christian homes and churches. A nativity scene (also called a crib or manger in the UK and creche in France – meaning "crib" or "manger" in French) is a three demensional depiction of the birth or birthplace of Jesus.
Nativity scenes typically show Jesus in a manger with Mary and Joseph in a barn or cave which is intended to stable animals. A donkey and an ox are placed with them to show the reason for the manger, but also alluding to Isaiah 1:3 "The ox knows his master, the donkey his owner's manger, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand." The ox representing the people of Israel and the donkey representing the Gentiles.
Sometimes the scene will include the Three Wise Men (maybe with a camel), shepherds and sheep, angels, and the Star of Bethlehem. These are depicting two different events in the Gospels: (1) Luke 2:10-11 "But the angels said to them (the shepherds), 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord'". And (2) Matthew 2:10-11, "When they (the Wise Men) saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh." Some Christian homes and churches will leave the baby Jesus out of the manger until Christmas Eve, showing that he had not come until that time.
It is believed that St. Francis of Assisi first introduced three-deminsional nativity scenes in
No matter how you decide to set up your outdoor nativity (or Creche), it will be a wonderful depiction of the real meaning of Christmas. There are many styles of Nativties available ready to set up, with figures and lights, and you can add additional figures and scenery to them depending on how elaborate you want your Nativity scene to be.