The Christmas season is inseparably connected with the Nativity crib

In Polish churches, on the town squares or in private houses there special installations with Baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph and shepherds are constructed . The cribs shall remain on display until 2 February. 
The genesis of the modern crib dates back to St. Francis of Assisi. When in 1223 Francis wandered through the woods, unbeaten tracks and caves, he often stopped for a moment of meditation and reflection. His favourite place of this type was a grotto, a hermitage located on the road from Assisi to Rome.
One winter, Francis told a familiar shepherd to bring animals to the grotto, prepare a manger and some hay, and summoned people to come there on the Night of Nativity for the midnight Mass. During the Mass St. Francis preached a sermon which was a kind of Bethlehem mystery. In this way the idea of a crib was born which was to spread by the Franciscans throughout the world.
In every country the cribs assume their own folklore form. Madonna or the shepherds look differently in South America and in Africa. On one continent Jesus is born in a grotto, and on another one in a shepherd's tent. A traditional Polish crib is most frequently a wooden hut: in the middle there is a manger lined up with hay. Baby Jesus wrapped up in nappies sleeps in the manger. Mary and Joseph watch over the Baby. The shepherds are usually peasants dressed in Polish folk costumes. They are accompanied by sheep, cows, goats or, a bit exotic in Poland, donkeys.
Currently in Polish churches the cribs are often decorated with contemporary elements. For example, you can see buildings typical of the given city in the distance, and those who pay tribute to the Baby Jesus include historical figures, distinguished patriots, scientists or artists.

In Poznań the most interesting crib is placed in the small historical church on St. Adalbert's Hill. A wooden hut where the Holy Family lives is situated on the outskirts of Poznań; in the background you can see the historic centre of Poznań with the town hall and townhouses. Some elements of the staging move: the figures passing the manger represent people related to the history of Poznań. The whole crib is completed with commentary and music.
A dozen or so years ago, when the Church was the only free institution in Poland, the artists incorporated political or social elements in their designs of the cribs. Nativity cribs became freedom manifestos: the relevant signs or elements of the staging were anti communist in nature. News of such cribs spread through the city, and crowds of Poznań inhabitants longing for freedom went on a pilgrimage from one church to another. Today such situations are virtually non-existent. Democratic institutions guard the civic freedom, therefore, the Church tries to be apolitical.

Also Nativity cribs from Kraków are very characteristic of Poland. They are subtle constructions which remind us more of palaces or buildings that are typical of Kraków like Wawel Royal Castle, St. Mary's Church or the famous Cloth Hall. The tradition of erecting such installations goes back to the 19th century. In front of the Kraków crib scenes from Nativity plays, i.e. religious performances about the birth of Jesus, are frequently mounted. Two years ago an exhibition of cribs from Kraków was presented in one of the churches in Paris. The French were enchanted with the colourful constructions.
Therefore, it is worth to find some time and before take a walk through Poznań’s churches before 2 February.