Frequently asked questions
What is usually included in a nativity set?
A traditional nativity set includes Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus in the manger, along with shepherds, the three wise men, an angel and animals. Some sets also include a stable or crèche, and children's sets are made to be handled and played with.
When should you put out a nativity scene?
Many families set up their nativity at the start of Advent. Some wait to place baby Jesus in the manger until Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, and add the wise men on Epiphany, 6 January.
What is a good nativity set for children?
Look for a set made from wood, fabric or sturdy plastic that little hands can hold and move around while you tell the Christmas story together. Ceramic, glass and resin nativity sets are better kept on display, out of reach of young children.
What does "nativity" mean?
"Nativity" means birth. A nativity scene shows the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, as told in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke.
Were the wise men really at the manger?
Matthew's Gospel says the wise men visited Jesus in a house, which suggests they came some time after His birth. Most nativity sets include them anyway, and some families move the wise men closer to the manger through the season, arriving on Epiphany.
