The significance of the nativity scene
Nativity scenes, which portray the birth of Jesus, have been an integral part of Christmas decorations for centuries. In churches and at Christmas markets, you will often see nativity scenes with life-size nativity figurines or nativity plays being performed. But even at home, the manger is a must-have during the festive season. Your very own small nativity scene in the living room as Christmas décor is guaranteed to spread the Christmas spirit straight away. The manger is traditionally placed under or near the Christmas tree and is intended to remind us of the biblical origin of Christmas and what happened on Holy Night. The term "nativity scene” originates from when Jesus was born in a stable and then placed in a manger after his parents could not find a place to stay for the night. You can use a beautiful manger and the corresponding nativity figurines to not only decorate for Christmas but to also give your children or grandchildren an understanding of the Christmas story in a playful way.
Wooden manger, modern Christmas nativity scene or oriental stable?
Nativity scenes are traditionally made of wood, which is close to the original, i.e. the stable where Mary gave birth to Jesus. Wooden mangers are not only authentic, but also extremely robust. So you don't have to be afraid of your Christmas decorations getting broken when your children or grandchildren play with them. Classic wooden nativity scenes can be perfectly decorated with natural materials such as moss, bark, hay or straw. Built-in lighting will let your figurines in the manger shine in a beautiful light. Porcelain figurines, such as those found in the Villeroy & Boch Christmas range, are shown to their best advantage in a wooden manger and contrast beautifully with the rustic style. There are no limits to your ideas for nativity accessories – stars and fir branches can also add a beautiful touch.
However, if you have got tired of looking at your traditional nativity scene over the years, then you can also choose modern Christmas nativity scenes. As a lover of Christmas decorations, you will find high-quality and tasteful additions for your collection in the form of porcelain mangers or oriental-style mangers, which you can set up as Advent décor in your home year after year and extend it with nativity accessories.
These nativity figurines belong in the nativity scene
You cannot have a nativity scene without Mary, Joseph and the Baby Jesus. These three nativity figurines are essential and can be extended with nativity accessories. You will often find sheep, donkeys and oxen as well as shepherd boys and peasants in a manger. In oriental nativity scenes you will also find camels. Mangers are traditionally set up in the Advent season, but Baby Jesus will not be placed in it until Christmas Eve. Nativity scenes also symbolically link the Advent season with Epiphany. On 6th January, the Three Wise Men – Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar – carrying their gifts of gold, myrrh and incense are added to the manger. According to tradition, they came from the Orient and followed the star to Bethlehem to the son of God. People who like to adhere to the Christmas traditions usually allow the nativity scene to stand until the end of the Christmas season, i.e. 2nd February.
Villeroy & Boch Nativity Story nativity figurines
If you want to let the Christmas story come alive in your living room, you will need a stable, which you can fill with nativity figurines. No matter whether you already have a nativity scene or manger or would like to buy a new manger, you will find high-quality, carefully hand-painted nativity figurines made from porcelain at Villeroy & Boch, which you can use to decorate for Christmas. The Nativity Story Christmas collection includes the Christmas figurines Mary and Joseph, animals such as sheep, donkeys, camels and oxen as well as the Three Wise Men: Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar. The nativity figurines are available separately and in a nativity figure set. This allows you to add to your collection of nativity figurines year after year and continue to take delight in your nativity scene.