The Vatican has started construction on its annual nativity set in
St. Peter's Square, and the display is expected to include a few animals
that may not have been at Jesus' birth.
The Pope said in his third book on the life of Christ, "Jesus of
Nazareth: The Infancy Narratives," released Nov. 21, that the ox and the
donkey, regularly included in nativity scenes, are not mentioned in the
gospels.
But they are included in other parts of the Bible, which could have
inspired Christians to use them in representations of the birth of
Jesus.
"No nativity scene will give up its ox and donkey," Pope Benedict says
in his new book, which will eventually be translated into 20 languages.
The square was first decorated in 1986 under Pope John Paul II and the
19th-century images usually come from the parish of San Andrés del
Valle.
The construction of the nativity scene began on Nov. 19 and is expected to finish by Dec. 24, just in time for Christmas Eve.
The Governorate of Vatican City's technical services office designs a
new nativity set every year, inspired by different scenes of the life of
Jesus.
Although the scenarios of where the statues are located vary each year, the essence is the same.
In 2010 the set included nine Filipino figures in honor of the 60th
anniversary of diplomatic relations with the Holy See.
Last year’s scene
focused on biblical events where Mary was a key figure, including the
Annunciation, the Visitation, the presentation in the temple and, of
course, the birth of Jesus.
As of Nov. 21, the area where the display will be in St. Peter’s Square
sports the pillars that will partially support the nativity scene.
Construction workers have also placed a metal frame next to the obelisk
and a tent to protect their work, with scaffolding alongside it.
The nativity will likely include life-size figures of Jesus, Joseph, Mary, shepherds, the Magi and some animals.
The display will be placed next to a 78-foot white fir, which comes
from the town of Pescopennataro, Italy and will be donated to the Pope
by the southern region of Basilicata.
It will be lit during a ceremony on Dec. 14, although the manger will be inaugurated on Christmas Eve.
Pope Benedict will celebrate a vigil Mass on Christmas Eve at 10:00 p.m. in St. Peter's Basilica.