Visit Italy's Living Nativity Scenes

If you're a travel buff like me, living overseas is a wonderful opportunity. Thanks to my husband's job, I've lived in Italy twice. One of my favorite Italian memories is our annual visit to the living Nativity in our adopted home town of Maranola di Formia. This event is held each year on December 26, January 1 and January 6.

According to Catholic tradition, St. Francis of Assisi created the first Nativity scene to commemorate the birth of Jesus in a humble stable in Bethlehem. Italians embraced this idea and soon began to set up presepi, or Nativity scenes, in their homes and churches. Some towns took this idea to its logical conclusion and used people and live animals to re-create the stable scene. Eventually, the living Nativity evolved to include music and local artisans, just as the Italian presepe, or Nativity scene, includes small figurines depicting farmers, craftsmen and townspeople.

In Maranola, for example, over 300 residents participate in the annual living Nativity. Teenage girls dress up as angels and stand over the arched entrance to the medieval town. Local artisans make lace, carve wooden spoons, and make olive oil-based soap. Musicians play traditional Italian carols. Live animals walk the streets, while folk dancers perform inside medieval houses and shops. Visitors wander through the streets of the old village and finally discover the Nativity tableau - Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus - kneeling humbly in the straw while residents and visitors watch and sing.

If you're lucky enough to be in Maranola, or in another town that presents a living Nativity, you'll feel transported to another time. You're right in the midst of a centuries-old village, surrounded by tradition and faith. It's an Italian Christmas event you'll never forget.

Many Italian cities and towns create living Nativities. Find out more about Italy's living Nativity tradition, and consider including a side trip to a presepe vivente in your Italian holiday itinerary.