Switzerland. Canton Tessin. Vira Gambarogno. The old town shows an exhibit of various Nativity scenes, illuminated at night for the Christmas holiday season. A Nativity Scene, may be used to describe any depiction of the Nativity of Jesus in art, but in the sense covered here, also called a crib or in North America and France a crèche (meaning "crib" or "manger" in French). It means a three-dimensional folk art depiction of the birth or birthplace of Jesus, either sculpted or using two-dimensional (cut-out) figures arranged in a three-dimensional setting. 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. The scene includes the Magi or Three Wise Men, shepherds and sheep, angels, and the Star of Bethlehem. Church's altar. Sculture of the Vigin Mary and Jesus. © 2007 Didier Ruef