presepe

It's a small miniature of the birth of Jesus, and it can contain just Jesus, Joseph and Mary or it can be very big and include shops of all sorts (usually the butcher's or the bakery). Baby Jesus (bambinello) is placed face-down until midnight of the 25th, when he's placed face up to symbolise his birth. The presepe is put up around Christmas time to be a constant reminder of the night that changed the world. :)

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