“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given” Isaiah 9:6
One of the traditional sights of Christmas in Portugal is the Nativity scene- and even in these days of austerity and recession, this enduring symbol of Christmas can still be found:
Ferragudo has its own little scene (above) which is set into a little carved rock cave by the side of the road – there is something quite charming and innocent about this one.
We also wanted to make sure that we had our own little offering sat under our Christmas tree this year – ours is a simple little affair too:
Many councils like to announce the coming King on a much larger scale – in Portimão the location of the crib may change each year – but wherever they place it in the town – you certainly can’t miss it!
The first time you walk past this life-size Nativity scene you certainly have to stop and have a look, it is quite impressive.
After all – it’s not every day that you see a life-size camel on the Algarve!
Then you look a little closer – and start to giggle! This year someone has placed a ‘make a wish’ lantern with a jar to collect money beside it on a stand in front of the Nativity scene – and sat beside that are these two figures – who I am pretty certain were not at the original crib in Jerusalem:
If anyone can tell me the significance of these two – please do!
Even the smallest villages join in with the Nativity tradition – this was Alte last Christmas – with another impressively large addition to a roundabout at the entrance to the village:
Many shops and stores also join in with the tradition:
And even the smallest little outfit often has an elaborate scene taking pride of place in the window:
This one below has a wonderful simplicity and design that I really like:
And this one was a far more elaborately inspired collection:
Even the local toy shop joined in – although I am not sure about some of the visitors to the crib here:
Sometimes the juxtaposition of the figures can seem at odds with the upmarket clothes and goods on display in the shop window – and some can give you a very unusual image too:
One of my favourite shots though has to be this one of the church in Lagos last Christmas – with the elaborately draped and embroidered scene of the Nativity hanging proudly from the church entrance – and underneath sits a homeless man begging:
Sort of puts things into perspective, doesn’t it?
Wherever you are – and whatever your Christmas traditions – may we wish you ‘Boas Festas’ and ‘Feliz Natal’
And if you have enjoyed this post, you may also enjoy our Christmas post from last year – The 12 Days of Christmas – Portuguese Style
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Great to be given a tour of all the different Nativity scenes. I don’t think I have seen one nativity scene this year in our city. Must be one somewhere.
tried to make sure there were some different ones in there – not all of these are from this year though – it is much quieter here this year than in previous years
I’ve never seen so many different nativity’s scenes before! Thank you for sharing!! 🙂 Merry Christmas to you and yours!
thank you – hope you have a fab Christmas too!
Thank you!! 🙂
Merry Christmas and thanks so much for allowing us to see the nativity in so many different mediums of art form. Simply beautiful.
Merry Christmas to you and yours too! x
Aw, these were nice, Aly! Rather liked those figures that look like leaning clothes pegs too. I’m having a twirl around all the lovely Christmas blogs before I go and peel veg. ‘Spect I’ll have a noggin. Merry Christmas once more.
happy Christmas to you too – a ‘noggin’ always makes me smile – sounds vaguely rude to me!!!!!!!! 🙂
Merry Christmas Alyson!
Merry Christmas Meg! x
Merry Christmas. Thank you for the tour of the different scenes. I think I like the simple best.
Merry Christmas to you too! – I think I have to agree with you!
Beautiful photos and lovely manger’s scenes. Merry Christmas.
thank you – and to you and yours
Gorgeous nativity scenes! The modern ones – the white ceramic and the pewter looking ones – grab me in particular 🙂
they are very different aren’t they!
How beautiful!!! :X:X:X Love it!!!
thank you – thanks for visiting and commenting
You’re welcome 🙂
Ho!Ho!Ho! Santa’s come a little later, but full of presents. I’ve nominated for “Blog of the Year 2012″ on the http://www.destinepierdute.wordpress.com blog.
thank you so much!
You’re welcome!
Beautiful nativity scenes! Wonderful selections.
thanks – glad you like them – they are very different from each other aren’t they?
What a delightful post. Thank you for sharing them. I think the nude figures are probably Adam and Eve – anachronistic and out of context
you might be right – they look quite Mexican to me though!
It’s nice to see people remembering what it’s really all about.
yes it’s quite traditional out here – I like that!
Reblogged this on i cittadini prima di tutto.
no problem! thank you
I love Nativity Scenes…thanks for sharing.
Happy New Years!!!
Laurie
thank you – Happy New Year to you and yours too!
the 6th image is freack :)) boobs :))
I love your beautiful paintings.
Do you find ‘living’ nativity scenes in Portugal, with real people standing there? I once came across one by accident in a church in Assisi. The participants were standing absolutely still and the atmosphere of reverence was palpable.
Happy New Year to you!
thank you! and wow! what a great Nativity idea! I have never seen this before, it sounds amazing – especially if you didn’t know about it and just came across it!
Have a great New Year and thanks for visiting and commenting
Happy New Year. Looking forward to your posts in the new year.
Happy New Year to you too! and to you and your blog too!
Great to see so many different nativity scenes, all so different but all great. ( haha love tha naked couple). Happy new year to you!
thanks – couldn’t resist adding that one! happy new year to you and yours too
This is such a wonderful post. That last photo of the beautiful Nativity scene above the beggar man, is very poignant indeed. Yes, it certainly does make one think. 😕
thank you – it’s easy to get ‘lost’ in the ‘stuff’ of Christmas isn’t it?
Absolutely, but it only comes once a year. 🙂
this is so lovely! kudos~
thank you – can’t believe it will be that time of year again soon – already?! where did that year go then?