Where is Your Parish's Nativity Scene Located?

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Our parish’s creche is set up in the St. Joseph Chapel, and there is also another one on the front steps. So I guess both options have been taken here. For the former, this could be a tool used for inviting in prospects to the Christian faith or Christians who have not been active in their spiritual life recently. The Child Jesus will be easily accesible to their hearts if He is seen visibly in the open. The latter is good also for quiet meditation, which I have done, inside the church. I think either one is a good option but I think that the first option is usually taken in my opinion to be an evangelization tool. Possibly? There’s my two cents. Merry Christmas!
 
Asperges_Me said:
I’ve heard and read that the latest modern trend in Catholic churches is to relegate the creche/manger/nativity scene and Christmas trees outside of the main altar area or sanctuary or worship space area into the vestibule or gathering space area. This is especially prevalent in the newer church buildings. For the poll, where is your parish’s nativity scene located? And in your text replies, do you agree or disagree with this trend?
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USCCB Committee on the Liturgy, Chapter two:

Plans for seasonal decorations should include other areas besides the sanctuary. Decorations are intended to draw people to the true nature of the mystery being celebrated rather than being ends in themselves. Natural flowers, plants, wreaths and fabric hangings, and other seasonal objects can be arranged to enhance the primary liturgical points of focus. The altar should remain clear and free-standing, not walled in by massive floral displays or the Christmas crib, and pathways in the narthex, nave, and sanctuary should remain clear.

Also if you check the Book of Blessings (every priest and Church has one) and it is very dated so cannot be blamed on the new generation, if also states that the crib should not be in the sanctuary.

Actually nothing should ever distract or take away from the altar, the re-presentation of Christ death. Christmas, Easter and all other days should still remain focus on the Mass.

Another point, only natural plants, not artificial greenery and trees should be used.
 
🙂
Beno said:
Our nativity scene is in the gathering space but it is viewable from the sanctuary because of large windows separating the two areas.

I would like to see a nativity scene that is modeled with a cave instead of the typical wood structure with rather airy slatwork. All of my research indicates that a hand hewn recess (cave) in a hillside was more likely the setting of Christ’s birth. Has anyone seen one like this and does anyone care?

I just love the parallels that the “Bread of Life” was born in Bethlehem, which translates as the “house of bread”, and that He was laid in a feeding trough.
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Inside the church, in front of the altar, there’s a Nativity scene. Behind the altar, there’s an another scene made with lights! 🙂
 
To the left of the altar

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