Vatican creche to place Holy Family in Joseph's carpentry workshop

Published: 2007-12-14

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Sheltered under a tree and concealed by burlap and scaffolding, the Nativity scene in St. Peter's Square -- still under construction -- was planned to put the Holy Family in Joseph's carpentry workshop. The Vatican office in charge of the creche's construction took its inspiration from Matthew's Gospel account of the birth of Jesus: "When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home. He had no relations with her until she bore a son and he named him Jesus." The central scene was designed to be Joseph's dwelling and his carpentry workshop with angels hovering above from a small balcony, according to a Dec. 13 written statement by the office for technical services for Vatican City. The scene was to be flanked by another carpentry shop and an inn. Joseph lived and worked in Nazareth while "Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea" as Matthew's account also confirms. The Vatican Nativity scene officially is unveiled Dec. 24 and remains in the square until the Feb. 2 feast of the Presentation of the Lord.

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