Nacimiento:
This is the Spanish word for manger scene. The nacimiento is the main decoration in Mexican homes. It looks very much like the manger scenes that we have in the United States with a stable, Mary and Joseph, and animals. Some of the nacimientos may take up an entire room, and others may just sit on a table. Most of these scenes are put near the front of the house so that the people passing by can see the nacimiento. The scene is completed on Christmas Eve when the newborn Baby Jesus is finally laid in the manger bed.
This is an example of a handpainted pottery nacimiento.
Picture taken from: http://www.dallas.net/~casamex2/p0000139.html
