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Christmas Make your own creche.
The first presepio was created by St. Francis of
Assisi when he recreated the scene of Christ's
Nativity in Greccio, Italy, on Christmas Eve of A.D.
1223.
Pottery Nativity Scene made in Mexico.
They can be incredibly complex or simple, made of
fine ceramics or of wood or paper. But in all cases,
the basics of the Nativity Scene are Mary (on
Christ's right, or our left as we face the
manger), St. Joseph (to Christ's left, or our
right as we face the manger), at least one angel,
the three Magi, at least one shepherd, a lamb as the
shepherds' offering and symbolizing the Sacrifice of
Christ, and the ox and the ass. That Jesus lay
between an ox and an ass is ascertained from the
bible (Isaias 1:3:). The presepio, becomes a scene
of drama, and just as the crib is empty until
Christmas Eve when Baby Jesus is added, the Three
Kings should be kept a bit away from the manger and
moved closer and closer until they finally reach it,
not on Christmas, but on the Eve of the Feast of the
Epiphany ,Twelfthnight, which begins the celebration
of Our Lord's showing His divinity to the wise men.
Visit Bill Egan's
International Creche School 101. Learn how
to create the stucco building, the manger, the
figures, the Inn, the landscape and more!
Some families start with the Magi in a totally
different room and move them closer and closer each
night. When they finally arrive on Twelfthnight,
Baby Jesus can be crowned and adorned in purple, the
color of royalty.
Traditionally, cherry blossoms, are used to decorate
the
creche. These were acquired by bringing cut
branches into the home, placing them in vase of
water, in essence, forcing the buds to bloom.
The French variation of this custom requires the
family to germinate wheat on beds of wet cotton in
three separate saucers, keeping them moist
throughout Advent. When the contents of the three
saucers -- which symbolize the three Persons of the
Most Holy Trinity -- are nice and green, they are
used to adorn the creche at Christmas. The French
saying "When the wheat goes well, everything goes
well."
Other animals you might find in the manger scenes
are the Magis' camels (added with the Magi on
Twelfth Night), the peacock symbolizing immortality,
and a cat -- usually a cat with kittens. The cat --
la Gatta della Madonna -- is based on an old
Christmas legend that a cat gave birth to kittens in
the stable as Mary gave birth to Jesus. Said kitty
purred Baby Jesus to sleep, and as a reward, the
figure of a Cross (or the letter M) was put on its
forehead.
Other figures can be added, and often are,
especially in Italy, Mexico, and Southern France,
where exquisite and elaborate presepi are the rule.
You might see a kneeling St. Francis, Mary's
midwife, La Befana, an old woman who visits children
on Epiphany Eve) -- even popular contemporary
figures. Townspeople are often added, especially in
Italy, and in France, where the figures, called "santons,"
represent tradesmen and the old guilds. (from
Fisheaters.com)
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