 Distinctive nativity scenes and traditions have been created around the world and are displayed during the Christmas season in churches , homes , shopping malls , and other venues , and occasionally on public lands and in public buildings . The Vatican has displayed a scene in St. Peter 's Square near its Christmas tree since 1982 and the Pope has for many years blessed the mangers of children assembled in St. Peter 's Square for a special ceremony . In the United States , the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City annually displays a Neapolitan Baroque nativity scene before a 20 feet ( 6 @.@ 1 m ) blue spruce . 
