One of the largest nativity scene collections in the world is in Ohio, at the University of Dayton, and it’s a window into how various cultures around the globe have made the birth of Jesus come to life.
And that’s fitting because this is the 800th anniversary of what historians consider the first nativity scene, a live depiction featuring human actors. Inspired by a visit to the Holy Land, Francis of Assisi presented it during Christmas in 1223, as a powerful way of illustrating scripture for people who were largely illiterate.
Then in 1290, artist Arnolfo di Cambio sculpted a substantial set of stone figures showing Mary, Joseph, and Jesus, the three kings, and an ox and donkey from the neck up. The scene was so popular it spurred imitation throughout Christian countries.
By the time of the Renaissance, churches and the rich competed to have the largest, most luxurious and extravagant nativity scene. Much more humble versions were found in ordinary homes, and the tableaux continue to resonate with believers around the globe.
In Dayton, the university has 3,700 nativity scenes from more than 100 countries. They’re made from a wide variety of materials, including silk, gold, terra cotta, and turtle shell.
Representing many different periods, styles, and nationalities, they range from traditional depictions to scenes incorporating cultural elements and........