Creative nativity scenes

This little Kenyan crèche is carved from mahogany wood. Nativity scenes can be found throughout Christian countries all over the world. By examining the figurines closely, you can often already tell where they come from.

This nativity scene is set up within a matchbox. If you fold it together, it can easily fit into a jeans pocket. The costumes and design are typical for the Andes region of South America. The miniature crèches are also popular souvenirs with tourists.

Not only is the nativity scene at Cologne Cathedral life-size, it also holds some hidden surprises. Artist Theo Heiermann mixed the usual figures - Virgin Maria, Baby Jesus and the three Magi - with handymen in typical Cologne attire. But they aren't easy to spot…

Since the unusual figurines started to be included in the 1990s, the Cologne crèche has sparked interest. In addition, the angels all have different skin colors. In one corner, there is a Turkish worker in bright orange overalls. Every year, there are new details to be discovered.

The nativity scene museum in Telgte in western Germany has put on a new exhibition every year since 1934. Homemade crèches are also on show. Franciscan monk Leo Kohorst made this crèche out of pebble stones. It took him 20 years.

The nativity scenes in Telgte touch on current political and social issues. This one envisions the holy family in Haiti, where over 1.8 million people lost their homes in a major earthquake in 2010.

This stable and crèche figures were hand-woven by development aid worker Ursula Messner. She got the idea from Brazil, where she has worked. The figures are made out of recycling paper. In 2010, the set was awarded a prize at the Telgte museum.

Not old paper, but old bicycle parts form the basis of this nativity scene. The figures are made from tubes and handlebars, while the roof used to be a front wheel with a dynamo hub. When it turns, it becomes the Star of Bethlehem shining down on the holy family.

In some nativity scenes, you have to look closely to find Baby Jesus, but that's not the case with this one from Tanzania. Here, the shepherds, Magi, Mary, and Joseph aren't standing in the crèche, but around it as they admire the holy child. The ensemble was carved from a single piece of ebony.

Here, the holy family is depicted in a boat full of refugees. They are on their way to the Italian island of Lampedusa. The image is symbolic for the many African refugees who undertake arduous journeys to establish a new life in Europe. In some cases, their small boats are swept to sea or they are turned away when they arrive.