Nativity sets, a familiar part of holiday decor, are becoming simpler and more abstract with some scenes made out of sleek glass or labeled wooden blocks. While they’re unusual, they also spark ...

A sculpture of a baby Jesus in the manger, part of a nativity scene from Spain, is displayed during a "Joy to the World" exhibit December 9, 2004 in Washington, D.C. A sculpture of a baby Jesus in ...

Barlow came across a similar nativity festival hosted in the Inland Empire and decided to make it a tradition in Burbank. “It’s a wonderful way to start Christmas and the holidays,” Barlow said.

The only historical account we have of Francis’ nativity scene comes from The Life of St. Francis of Assisi by St. Bonaventure, a Franciscan monk who was born five years before Francis’ death.

The first recorded Nativity scene — a live presentation — is said to have taken place in the year 1223 in a grotto in Greccio, a village in central Italy.