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Recreating Nacimientos/Nativity Scenes, the place where Jesus Christ was born, is a tradition that thousands of Latinos in the Western Hemisphere follow during the Christmas season. This tradition often takes place on the streets of Los Angeles where people spend countless hours building simple and elaborate Nacimientos in their front yards, porches, and roofs. Nacimientos range in size, complexity and creativity. Some can be a simple scene consisting of Mary, Joseph and Jesus figures while others contain elaborate landscapes with waterfalls, lights and hundreds of pieces. People who put these Nativity Scenes out for the public to see take pride in openly practicing this Christmas tradition. Nacimientos are personal in design and reflect the builders own experiences. Families and individuals spend countless hours recreating their rendition of the stable and the setting where Jesus was born. Scenic elements can also include figures of sheep, cows and other farm animals, camels, shepperds, towns, roads, sand, mirrors to resemble lakes, the devil, and lights. For many Latinos the building of the Nacimientos begins the day after December 12th which is the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe. They stay up through January 6th when the three kings arrive to the scene. Building Nacimientos plays an important role in the Latino community because it adds a creative element to the landscape. Plus, they are the center for Posadas, which are nightly processions re-enacting Mary and Joseph's search for shelter the night Jesus was born.

Building Nacimientos (Nativity Scenes) is a tradition that millions of people follow during the Christmas season. Families and individuals spend countless hours recreating their rendition of the stable that Jesus was born in. Essential elements to Nacimientos are figures of Mary and Joseph (the baby Jesus is placed on Christmas Day) along with farm animals like cows, sheep, pigs, and dogs. A star is always placed above the manger and somewhere hidden is the Devil. Thousands of Los Angeles County residents place these Nativity Scenes where the public can see them. One can drive through any neighborhood and find them on people’s lawns and roofs or in their windows. The Latino Urban Forum (LUF) and The Rare Times have taken pictures of publicly displayed Nacimientos from East Los Angeles, Montebello and El Monte. Nacimiento Tour 2002 maps and reception invitations are available here! Please join this self-guided tour. Sunday, January 6 for refreshments, visuals and discussion in Downtown L.A.

Check out the following:

Nacimiento Tour 2000-2001

An East L.A. Christmas, by James T. Rojas

Map for Nacimiento Tour 2002 and Reception 01/06/02

The tour was created by contributors to The Rare Times and members of Latino Urban Forum (LUF): Ray Gutierrez, Stephen and Maribel Legaspi, and James T. Rojas.

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