The Christmas period is closely related to the Nativity scene. Special installations displaying the Child Jesus, the Virgin Mary, Saint Joseph and shepherd boys are constructed at Polish churches, in city squares and at private households.

The origins of the modern day Nativity scene can be traced back to the times of Saint Francis of Assisi. When in 1223 he travelled through forests, rough terrains and caves he would often stop for a moment of quiet reflection. His favorite place for musings was a cavern ? hermitage located on the route between Assisi and Rome.

One winter Francis asked a befriended shepherd to fill the cavern with animals, prepare a crib and hay and tell people to come to the cavern on the Christmas night. During the mass Francis delivered a sermon which was a kind of a Bethlehem mystery play. This was the origin of the idea of the nativity scene spread throughout the world by The Franciscans.

In every country Nativity scenes take their own, folk form. There exists a different representation of Madonna in the South America and different in Africa. On one continent Jesus is born in a cave, on another in a shepherd tent. The traditional Polish Nativity scene usually includes a wooden hut in the center of which in a crib filled with hay sleeps Child Jesus wrapped in diapers. Above him lean Virgin Mary and Joseph, keeping vigil. Shepherd boys are most often portrayed as peasants clad in traditional Polish clothing. They are surrounded by animals: sheep, cows, goats and donkeys which are slightly exotic in Poland.

Nowadays Nativity scenes displayed at Polish churches are often decorated with more modern elements. For example, the background includes characteristic city buildings, and among people who do obeisance to little Jesus one can find historical figures, outstanding patriots, scholars or artists.

In Poznań the most interesting Nativity scene is displayed in a small, historic church located on the St. Wojciech hill. The wooden hut in which lives the Holy Family is situated sort of in the suburbs of Poznań and in the background one can see the Poznań?s Old Town with its City Hall and tenement houses. Some elements of the display are mobile and the figures sliding in front of the crib represent famous people from Poznań?s history. The scene is completed by commentaries and music.

Several years ago when the Church was the only free institution in Poland, Nativity scene designs included political and social elements. Nativity scenes would become freedom manifestos as particular letterings or elements were of anticommunist nature. The word about such Nativity scenes quickly spread throughout the city, drawing to churches crowds of people longing for freedom. Nowadays situations like this are rare. Civil laws are enforced by democratic institutions, which is why the Church is trying to be apolitical.

Kraków?s Nativity scenes are also very characteristic for Poland. They are lacy constructions which resemble rather palaces or characteristic city buildings: the Royal Castle at the Wawel Hill, St. Mary's Basilica or the famous Sukiennice market. The tradition of constructing such buildings can be traced back to the 19^th century. Often in front of Kraków?s Nativity scenes one can watch Nativity plays, which are religious performances about the birth of Jesus.

Therefore it is worthwhile to find a spare moment and before the 2^nd of January take a walk in the streets of Poznań.