Live reenactments usually are held in churches and the smaller Nativity is displayed in homes as a reminder of this important occurrence in Christianity. The announcement of the messiah s birth to Shepherds who tend their flocks by night shows the human qualities and humility that Jesus would show in later biblical stories. The donkey is included in the Nativity because Mary rode on a donkey going into Bethlehem were Jesus was born and Jesus rode a donkey into Jerusalem as an adult. It also gives an idea of when Jesus was born. Christmas is celebrated on December 25 which is the middle of winter.
Shepherds didn t watch their flocks at night in the dead of winter.
They would be out at night to make sure the lambing went well in the spring. There are interesting parallels between pagan myths and that of Jesus birth. Cultures all over the world celebrated the birth of a Sun God or a Sun Gods triumph during the winter solstice, December 21. He was often called Lord of Lords, King of Kings, the Good Shepherd. His birth was announced by three wise men.