Nativity scene at the Vatican for Christmas 2023 (foto: Daniel Ibanez/EWTN News)

Nativity scene at the Vatican, Christmas 2023 (foto: Edward Pentin/National Catholic Register)

Vatican Christmas 2023 Nativity scene includes depictions of St. Francis and his friars. (foto: Edward Pentin/National Catholic Register)

Mother Mary is depicted in the Nativity scene at the Vatican for Christmas 2023. (foto: Edward Pentin/National Catholic Register)

Christmas at the Maronite Cathedral of St. Elijah in Aleppo, Syria (foto: Maronite Cathedral of St. Elijah)

Nativity scene from the Middle East: Aleppo, Syria (foto: Maronite Cathedral of St. Elijah)

Celebration of the Maronite Christmas at the Cathedral of St. Elijah (foto: Maronite Cathedral of St. Elijah)

Christmas decorations at the Maronite Cathedral of St. Elijah (foto: Maronite Cathedral of St. Elijah)

Nativity scene in Aleppo, Syria (foto: Maronite Cathedral of St. Elijah)

Nativity scene in Syria (foto: Maronite Cathedral of St. Elijah)

Baby Jesus is seen in the Maronite Nativity in Aleppo, Syria, at the Maronite Cathedral of St. Elijah. (foto: Maronite Cathedral of St. Elijah)

A traditional Peruvian Nativity (foto: Teófilo Ichaccaya Velarde, Ayacucho)

Pottery and ceramic Peruvian Nativity (foto: Sabino Tupa Llavilla, Cuzco)

Another Peruvian Nativity (foto: Deniss Sánchez Aparicio, Ayacucho)

‘Loving Our Child’ (foto: Ronald Sierra Honorio, Ucayali)

Peruvian stone Nativity (foto: Faustino Quispe Zambrano, Cajamarca)

Traditional Peruvian Nativity (foto: José Arturo Ramos Vallejo, Ayacucho)

Jewel-and-gold Nativity from Peru (foto: Bertha Pacheco Albujar, Piura)

Oldest crib figure of the Baby Jesus in Bavaria (foto: Allgäutourismus)

Bavaria Jesuit crib, oldest crib in Swabia, created around 1618 (foto: Mindelheim Museums)

Unique Nativity scene in Hungary with the journeying Magi (foto: City of Vörs/Farkas Bence)

Nativity in Vörs (foto: City of Vörs/Farkas Bence)

Scenes of Hungarian life are included in this scene. (foto: City of Vörs/Farkas Bence)

Another view of the Vörs, Hungary, display (foto: City of Vörs/Farkas Bence)

Nativity scene on display in France (foto: Bernard Duc-Maugé)

Nativity scene on display in France: from Puglia (foto: Bernard Duc-Maugé)

Nativity scenes in Krakow, Poland (foto: Kazimierz Wiatr)

Krakow, Poland, offers a colorful array. (foto: Kazimierz Wiatr)

Living Nativity in Postojna Cave in the country of Slovenia. 18 Biblical scenes are on display during the Christmas season. (foto: Žiga Intihar)

Another view of the Living Nativity in Postojna Cave (foto: Žiga Intihar)

The Holy Family is represented in the Slovenian Living Nativity. (foto: Žiga Intihar)

A Slovenian cave is a unique locale for a Living Nativity. (foto: Ziga Intihar)

Families spending Christmas in Slovenia are in for a wonder-filled experience. (foto: Žiga Intihar)

The Assisi, Italy, display includes light and recalls the first such scene 800 years ago, courtesy of St. Francis. (foto: Fabiola Gentili/Città di Assisi)

The entire city of Assisi has been transformed into an ‘enormous open-air Nativity scene.’ (foto: Fabiola Gentili/Città di Assisi)

A light installation in St. Francis’ hometown of Assisi, Italy (foto: Fabiola Gentili/Città di Assisi)

Nativity display in Assisi honors the 800-year history of the Christmas tradition. (foto: Fabiola Gentili/Città di Assisi)

The huge Neapolitan crèche at Regina Laudis Abbey in Bethlehem, Connecticut, was given to the abbey in 1949 by Loretta Hines Howard in memory of her husband. (foto: Courtesy photo)

Live Nativity in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help School (foto: Courtesy photo)

Live Nativity highlighting the angels and shepherds in Bethlehem at Our Lady of Perpetual Help School (foto: Courtesy photo)

Sitting high atop South Mountain, the lone star, erected in 1937, peeking out of the trees can be seen from just about anywhere in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, also known as Christmas City, USA. (foto: Alyssa Murphy/National Catholic Register)

The Bethlehem star, erected in 1937, shines in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. (foto: Alyssa Murphy/National Catholic Register)

Beacon of hope in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania (foto: Alyssa Murphy/National Catholic Register)

Photos: Live Nativities and Christmas Crèches From Around the World

Celebrating the Nativity of Our Lord Across the Globe

Editor's Note: Please click on the photo's arrow to peruse the images in our Nativity gallery.

The Vatican unveiled its annual Nativity scene this Advent season, paying special tribute to the origins of the beloved tradition on its 800th anniversary.

The scene in St. Peter’s Square depicts not only Mary and Joseph standing beside the manger, but also St. Francis of Assisi, who organized the first Nativity scene in a cave in the Italian village of Greccio on Christmas Eve in 1223.

Please peruse these photos of crèches and live Nativity scenes from across the globe as we ready our hearts to celebrate the birth of our dear Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Wishing you a blessed Advent and very merry Christmas!

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