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Nativity Sets
Nativity Sets Grace Your Home with Blessings of the First Christmas
The holiday decorating season is upon us! When it comes to Christmas decorations, The Bradford Exchange is a wonderful place to find unique treasures and beautiful decor, featuring original designs not found elsewhere. And what holiday home would be complete without a special Nativity set!
The Nativity story reminds us the importance of the very first Christmas - the night that the Christ child was born in Bethlehem. And our Nativity sets have beautifully captured that important moment in artistic styles bringing Mary, Joseph, the Baby Jesus, wise kings, shepherds and stable animals in graceful scenes of peace, joy and hope. No matter your esthetic preference, you will likely to enjoy selecting from a great selection of inspiring Christmas Nativity sets to display in your home this season.
From the traditional to the contemporary, our Nativity sets are expertly crafted by skilled artisans from quality materials to bring the Christmas story to life in your home. Plus, some of our Nativity sets are inspired by the artistry and vision of acclaimed artists like Thomas Kinkade and Keith Mallet, expressing the narrative in profound ways. And because of their heirloom quality, these beloved sets can easily become a significant part of your family decorating traditions.
Please take a moment to shop our Nativity collections today. They will certainly add a heartfelt blessing to your home - not only for Christmas 2020, but for many seasons to come. And don't forget we have other amazing home decor too, and each item is ready to inspire you 24/7, 365 days a year. Shop Now!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Nativity Sets
While many put away their Nativity set with the rest of the Christmas decorations, there are specific times that correspond to the symbolism of the event. For example, some prefer to leave their Nativity displayed until Epiphany (or the Feast of the Epiphany), representing the visitation of Jesus by the Magi. Epiphany 2021 is on January 6. Some homes leave their scenes of Mary, Joseph and the Baby Jesus displayed for a lot longer to show the significance of the Nativity to their family, beyond just the date of December 25.
Most Nativity sets include at least 10-12 pieces to allow versatility when creating a scene. Smaller sets, including the essential characters of the first Christmas story (Virgin Mary, Joseph and Jesus), are usually 3-5 pieces. Larger sets can also include a stable structure or a barn facade to help make the scene even more realistic.
You can effectively tell the story of the Nativity with merely a Mary, Joseph and Christ child figurine, but traditionally, sets also include the following: Shepherds (2-4 pieces), the Magi (usually represented by 3 kings) and their transportation (usually a camel or two), stable animals (cow, donkey, sheep), and sometimes an angel.
Historically, there is not a specific location that the Virgin Mary should be placed in a Nativity scene. However, in many traditions, Mary and Joseph are placed on either side of the Baby Jesus, with Mary being slightly closer to the Christ child because of her significance to the story.