The Nativity Set is a popular Christmas display, and has been around since the thirteenth century. The Nativity Set is a result of Saint Francis of Assisi, who first used it as an educational tool.
In the thirteenth century, people were shown image, such as stained glass windows, to teach religious lessons. This was a three dimensional image, and could be placed in storage between Christmas seasons. It served an educational purpose.
Of all the Christmas decorations, the Nativity Set is the one that gets to the heart of the meaning of Christmas.