Department 56 Little Town of Bethlehem Nativity Lighted 1999 New #59796

A cherished scene in the hearts of many, the Nativity presents the baby Jesus lying in a manger, or feeding trough, which provides the only clue as to where the scene occurred. Shepherds with their flocks often sought shelter in the habitable caves found in the limestone hills near Bethlehem. Mangers were either hewn out of those cave walls or found in stables. Thus it is likely a cave or stable first housed the newborn child. Very little else is revealed about that special night, but according to the Gospel of Luke, Mary laid Jesus in a manger and wrapped him in bands of cloth This practice, called swaddling, was done to strengthen bones during the first six months of life. Swaddling is still customary in some rural areas of the Near East.