The Marian Library Crèche Collection celebrates diverse Nativity traditions, adapted in different materials and styles, from over 100 cultures. The collection began in 1984, with contributions from friends and donors, and has grown to include over 3,600 Nativity sets from around the world.
A crèche, or Nativity set, is a depiction of the Christmas story — the birth of Jesus Christ. Nativity sets are often three-dimensional, consisting of figures arranged in a scene.
The Crèche Collection, used in exhibits, campus engagement and community outreach, is one of the Marian Library's largest and most popular collections — especially around the Christmas season.
