A nativity scene (usually capitalized if referring to the birth of Jesus), also called a crib or crèche (meaning "crib" or "manger" in French) generally refers to any depiction of the birth or birthplace of Jesus. In Spain and some hispanic countries, this is called Belen (meaning Bethlehem in Spanish). In Argentina it is called pesebre and in Mexico is known as nacimiento.

Christian Nativity scenes, in two dimensions (drawings, paintings, icons, etc.) or three (sculpture or other three-dimensional crafts), usually show Jesus in a manger, Joseph and Mary in a barn (or cave) intended to accommodate farm animals. A mule and an ox accompany them, after the Apocryphal Gospels. The scene sometimes includes the Magi or Three Wise Men, shepherds, angels and the Star of Bethlehem. The traditional scenes that show the shepherds and Magi together are of course not true to the Bible story, since the Magi arrived much later (Luke 2:7-16).

At Christmas time these arrangements are created and displayed in Catholic (and some Protestant) homes, churches and parks. A life-sized version is on permanent display in Piazza San Pietro in the Vatican City.

Although St Francis of Assisi is credited

In Catalonia, an additional figure representing a Catalan peasant in the act of defecating (a caganer) is always included in the scene.

In Provence, in the South of France, nativity scenes are sometimes composed of hundreds of small painted clay figurines, called santons, representing all the traditional trades and professions of old Provence. Because of their cultural value the santons are often collected as art or craft objects, regardless of their possible use in a nativity scene.

In Mexico and in certain parts of Central America, it is traditional to build the Nativity Scene on December 16, the day of the first Posada. Traditionally, the Three Wise Men are not included in the Nativity Scene until January 6, Three King's Day. The Nativity Scene is not taken until February 2, Candlemas, which marks the end of the Epiphany season.

Pessebre Krybbespil Weihnachtskrippe Belén (escena del nacimiento de Jesús) Crèche de Noël Presepe Krëppchennap:'O presebbio Kerststal キリストの降誕 Julekrybbe Jaslice Julkrubba