Ask the Chatbot Games & Quizzes History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture ProCon Money Videos
crèche
Introduction References & Edit History Related Topics
Images
crèche
Quick Facts
Related Topics:
Nativity
See all related content
Britannica AI Icon

Adding us as a Preferred Source tells Google you trust our content, so our articles show up more often in your Google Search, Discover feed, and AI Overviews.
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Feedback
Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login).
Thank you for your feedback

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

External Websites
crèche
crèche A crèche representing the Nativity of Jesus in Bethlehem.

crèche

Christianity
Written and fact-checked by
Britannica Editors
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
Britannica Editors
History

crèche, in Christianity, a three-dimensional representation of the Nativity scene. Those represented usually include the infant Jesus in a manger, Mary and Joseph, animals, shepherds, angels, and the Magi. Although St. Francis of Assisi (1181/82–1226) is credited with popularizing it, devotion to the crèche probably existed earlier. Use of the crèche reached its zenith during the 17th and 18th centuries in southern Europe. It is still displayed in many churches, homes, and shops during the Christmas season, generally until Epiphany (January 6).

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica This article was most recently revised and updated by Melissa Petruzzello.