Christmas in the Italian Language: An Italian Nativity Scene

 

Il presepio or presepe

The Nativity Scene

Centuries ago, in 1223, San Francesco (Saint Francis), the charismatic friar of Umbria, wanted to bring to life the story of il natale di bambino Gesù  (Baby Jesus’s birth). In the little town of Greccio, he placed a manger in some straw and added a living Madonna, San Giuseppe (St. Joseph), shepherds (pastori), and actual cattle (bue), sheep (pecore), and donkeys (asinelli), the animals that, as the story goes, once warmed the infant with their breath. 

Throughout Italy every church constructs a presepio. including presepi viventi (living crèches) with real people and animals, ranging from simple to stunning. Some include hills,  trees, lakes, rivers, angels suspended by wires, the Christmas star (stella cometa) and reproductions of an entire village or countryside with the cave (grotta) of Bethlehem where Jesus was born. The culla di paglia (cradle of straw) remains empty until the night of Natale. 

Naples is most famous for its presepi, with hundreds of nativity scenes, including many with handmade or antique figures, set up around the city. Throughout the year artisans along San Gregorio Armeno create elaborate statuine (clay figures) of the traditional Nativity figures as well as of contemporary personalities such as Silvio Berlusconi and President Obama. 

In the past many families would go to the woods (bosco) to gather moss and greens to serve as backdrop. for their presepio. Today it’s possible to buy plastic figurines, fake grass, and entire miniature villages. However, the tradition of putting together a unique presepio remains strong.  

One friend recalls the annual ritual of unpacking the box (scatola) in which all the statuini were stored. Her father would take out each pastore (shepherd), introduce him by name, and tell a little story about his life and what he was doing on that magical night so many years ago. Each of the children would do the same with the animals. Because the magi or wise men didn't arrive in Bethlehem until January 6, the date of the Epiphany, his family would place the three kings at a distance from the presepio and move them, along with the star they followed, ever closer every day.

 If you’re in Italy for the holidays, don’t miss a visit to the local presepi. In Rome you can find a huge presepio in St. Peter's Square as well as other elaborate ones in the Piazza del Popolo, Santa Maria in Trastevere, Santa Maria d'Aracoeli, and Piazza Navona. At any time of year you can view presepi at two museums: Il Museo Nazionale di San Martino in Naples and Il Museo Tipologico Nazionale del Presepio, under the church of Saints Quirico e Giulitta in Rome.  

Words and Expressions 

presepe vivente -- living nativity scene 

stella cometa -- the comet, guiding star 

culla di paglia -- cradle of straw 

il natale di bambino Gesù  or il natale del bambin Gesù  -- Baby Jesus’s birth 

Dianne Hales is the author of LA BELLA LINGUA: My Love Affair with Italian, the World's Most Enchanting Language.

To tour Naples’ famous street of the presepi makers, click below:

Comments

[Andrea Laforgia]

Dear Dianne,

I think that "il natale di bambino Gesù" should be "Il Natale del bambin Gesù". It sounds better in Italian ;)

Merry Christmas to you and the readers of your blog.

Andrea

[Debra Kolkka]

I have just done a post on the Nativity scenes in Naples on my blog, Bagni di Lucca and Beyond. Thanks for the additional information.

[Joe Martingale]

Thanks as always for an Italian lesson and a beautiful story.
There is an beautiful exhibit at the Italian Cultural Institute in NY of Presepi Napolitani. It's on Park Ave. between 68th &69th Streets. Well worth seeing.

[Childrens Nativity Set]

There is a small town in northern CA (Canby - population 413!) that have the entire "main street" decked out with life size dioramas for CHristmas. Totally took me by surprise when I first drove through...

Thanks for the Italian lesson! :-)

[dianne]

Glad we meet again. Buon Natale!

[J. Scott Coatsworth]

Che buona fortuna! I was looking for some Italian Christmas phrases and happened across your blog. We saw you at the Sacramento Italian Center a couple months back and bought your book. It's like running into an old friend online. :) Wonderful blog!