French Santon Nativity

On a trip to France about 20 years ago to spend Christmas with my in-laws, I discovered the wonderful French tradition of the Santon Nativity sets. Each home set up a crèche, but they all varied. There were all the usual characters: Virgin Mary, Joseph and the Baby Jesus. The shepherd's and the sheep; along with the stable animals cows, donkeys, and the like. But what was amazing about these displays is that they also incorporated the local town's people, and that always varied by family.

Santons are, literally, “little saints.” Part of a typical French Nöel crèche (Christmas Nativity scene), santons come in work clothes to visit the Holy Family. They bring the Christ Child presents they have made or grown, hunted or sold. They perform or offer simple gestures of thoughtfulness. I found this utterly charming and so I started to collect them as I found them in little shops, even the local Supermarche (supermarket) had them.

With the exception of the Holy Family and kings, all the characters are delightfully attired in late 18th century or 19th century Provençal costumes. In my collection along with the Holy Family and some stable animals (we only have one of the Three Kings ~ the other 2 eluded me) are: the mayor (looking very official), his wife, a priest, a Basque drummer, a hunter, along with a few shepherds and angels. My poor woman bringing lavender has lost her head and one of the donkeys head is broken off...quelle dommage~!

For the last few years, for one reason or another, I have not set up the creche. But as I put it up this year, I found that two pieces were broken, so I decided to use 21st century technology and do a Google search to see if I could find a replacement. Was I amazed at the total history of the Santons and the true meaning of how they became so popular. Plus, the litte figurines, mine are the small ones made of clay which are about 2.75" tall, for which I paid a few French francs (yes, it was still the franc back then) for many years ago, are now more than I would ever think to spend.

Some of my Santons are marked by the artist, some are not...but it really doesn't matter to me. Many have chips and broken ears on the cows, because my son used to play with them when he was young. Best of all, they all have a sweet memory of Christmas spent in France and here with family and friends.

Joyeaux Nöel~!!