The Christmas season begins on the First Sunday of Advent and ends on Epiphany. Christmas is celebrated in many different ways around the world. In the United States and other countries, many churches and homes display a cr che , or Nativity scene. These scenes include figurines of Joseph, Mary and the baby Jesus in the stable. They are usually surrounded by the shepherds, angels, the Magi, and animals.
Some churches also have a live nativity service.
Such services originated during the Middle Ages when many people could not read Latin, the language of the Church. St. Francis of Assisi is generally credited with the idea of recreating the stable scene with a wooden crib occupied by a wax figure of the infant Jesus. However, local people played the roles of Joseph and Mary and the shepherds. Live animals usually completed the re-enactment. Many Christians attend a midnight Mass or other Christmas Eve services at churches which are usually decorated with poinsettias, candles and greenery.