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Sunday, 29 August 2010

How Home Nativity Sets Came To Be

By Malcolm Van Goodman

The most important day of the year for Christians is Christmas day. On this day Jesus Christ's birthday is celebrated every year by all the Christians all over the world. This is celebrated in remembrance of the God's love for mankind.

The event that surrounds Jesus' birth was first described in the bible. The baby Jesus that was born in a manger was visited by some shepherds and three wise men. These three men had a guiding star that was shining directly on the site. This is a remarkable story that has inspired the subsequent pictures of the nativity, retaining the essential information but with slight variations.

It is believed that the nativity scene was first reproduced in 1223 for Saint Francis of Assisi. This reproduction was a pantomime, featuring live actors, and the goal was to inspire the worshiping of Christ. Soon after, other communities staged their own versions of the pantomime, which late evolved into nativity sets. These sets were made of static models using materials like wax or ivory, with the models dressed in fancy clothes, and placed in front of detailed landscapes.

In the modern society, pantomimes still exist, but it is more common to see the static nativity sets, especially inside homes. These sets are usually composed of figurines, with the most basic ones including only Joseph, Mary and the baby Jesus as he lies in the manger. More standard sets include a stable or a cave, as well as figurines of the shepherds, the wise men, or even the angels and animals.

Other versions of nativity sets have variations, often without any Biblical support. These may include figures of the apostles, Satan, or Adam and Eve. Although these characters are Biblical they were not at the original scene of the nativity. Although these sets are not factually accurate, they are still representative of the nativity's significance in Christianity.

As Christmas time approaches, nativity sets are widely available in shops, including Jim Shore. The stores carry a wide and beautiful variety of ornaments and figurines, which include everything one would need to set up a perfect nativity scene at their home. Now is a great time to visit these stores.

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