When do you set up nativity figures?

Setting up the nativity scene is an important Christmas tradition that is lovingly maintained in many families. Traditionally, this happens shortly before Christmas. However, some families follow a different tradition and start decorating their house for Christmas on Remembrance Sunday at the end of November.

Delayed or immediate installation?
There are two common methods of setting up the nativity figures . Some families
prefer to place the characters at different times in order to
Christmas story chronologically. This can increase anticipation of the holiday and shorten the waiting time. On the other hand, some people decide to set up all the figures immediately so that they can enjoy them for longer.

The central role of the baby Jesus
Regardless of the method chosen , the baby Jesus remains the most important part of the nativity play. He lies in his manger, surrounded by Mary and Joseph . The scene should represent a stable setting to illustrate the poor environment of Jesus' birth. The ox and donkey as well as the shepherds with their sheep complete the picture of the Holy Night as it is described in the Christmas story.

The number of figures and their meaning
The entire Christmas story can consist of up to 300 characters. This
underlines the diversity and complexity of the nativity play. Some families attach great importance to accuracy and, for example, only set up the three holy kings Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar on January 6th.

The end of the Christmas season and the dismantling of the nativity scene
The Christmas season traditionally ends on January 6th. On this day, the nativity scenes are typically dismantled and stored away for the next Christmas. This marks the end of the festive season and the beginning of a new year. As families maintain these traditions and set up the nativity figures, the meaning and beauty of the Christmas story is celebrated and reflected each year.