World Nativities: A 2020 Advent Calendar

For many centuries the story of the birth of Jesus Christ has been depicted through the creative lens of artists from a wide variety of spiritual, intellectual, and cultural backgrounds. This year, instead of the usual in-person experience, Glencairn Museum’s annual World Nativities exhibition will take place online for all to enjoy.

Daily from December 1 through December 25, a new Nativity scene from Glencairn’s collection will appear in our online Advent calendar. Follow Glencairn’s social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr) to receive each day’s Nativity in your newsfeed. And be sure to check out “Do You See What I See: Imagery in Nativity Scenes,” our online resource about the history and iconography of the Nativity tradition.

Image credit: In the 1930s in Spain, Jose Puig Llobera established a family-owned company (Belenes Puig S.L.) that has become famous for its Nativity figures. The figures are handcrafted from clay molds, painted, and then dressed with stiffened fabrics. The family continues to oversee all decisions involving the design and painting of the figures. Courtesy of Glencairn Museum.