Nativity Scene: Central Europe
Nativity Scene: Southern Europe
Nativity Scene: The United States
In Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and other central European countries, the preparation of Nativity scenes still provides a delightful occupation for children and adults during Advent. The German Nativity scene, called a Krippe (meaning “crib”), may contain hundreds of figurines and many lovely details. In Czechoslovakia people call their manger scenes “Bethlehems.” In some areas of the country the figures may be constructed from bread dough and later painted.