1318 Nagel Road Cincinnati, Ohio 45255
The Comboni Missionaries hosted their first Nativity Experience in 1947, in the carriage house of their new Sacred Heart Seminary on Beechmont Road. Called the “Crib” in those days, the outbuilding recreated the Italian tradition of celebrating Christmas with scenes of the Nativity. Seminarians gathered rocks and moss from the area and created an impressive diorama of the Palestinian countryside, complete with cardboard starry sky, rivers, hills, and villages. Imported statuettes of the Holy Family, the ox and ass, angels, shepherds, kings, sheep and even a dog all had a role as dramatic lights and music carried a magical retelling of the Christmas story.
Now in its 77th year, the Nativity Experience has grown to be a family favorite for generations. We hope you’ll join us again this year in celebrating the birth of our Savior. From our family to yours, Merry Christmas!
Visit the Mission Market and Mission Museum, see nativities from around the world
6-8 PM; closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
