Collection of Nativity Scenes Now Online at UDnativity.org

As families are decorating for the holidays, one piece almost always
on hand is the nativity scene, depicting the holy family of Mary,
Joseph and baby Jesus. Now, more than 100 creches from around the
world can be viewed at UDnativity.org.

Created by the University of Dayton, UDnativity.org
showcases a portion of the University’s nearly 1,000 nativity scenes
- the largest collection in the country. The collection represents 45
countries and includes styles and settings as diverse as the heritage,
vision, and interpretation of the artists who created them. Some
incorporate earthen elements like cork, bamboo, and moss to create
natural landscapes; others use household items such as bread, wax, and
clothespins to set the scene. Traditional mangers abound, but the
Christ child can also be found in a forest, cave and even a Swiss
chalet.

The University set out to amass a collection of varied cultural
interpretations of the nativity in 1994. The undertaking, managed by
the UD Marian Library’s Creches International committee, is designed
to promote the study and understanding of culture and religion, as
well as the Christmas story itself. In spite of its emergence in the
Middle Ages, the nativity set did not become part of popular culture
until the 17th and 18th centuries. The director of the collection says
that over the centuries, figures were added and new stories interwoven
with that of the birth of Christ.