 Regional variants on the standard nativity scene are many . The putz of Pennsylvania Dutch Americans evolved into elaborate decorative Christmas villages in the twentieth century . In Colombia , the <unk> may feature a town and its surrounding countryside with shepherds and animals . Mary and Joseph are often depicted as rural <unk> people with Mary clad in a countrywoman 's shawl and fedora hat , and Joseph garbed in a poncho . The infant Jesus is depicted as European with Italianate features . Visitors bringing gifts to the Christ child are depicted as Colombian natives . After World War I , large , lighted manger scenes in churches and public buildings grew in popularity , and , by the 1950s , many companies were selling lawn ornaments of non @-@ fading , long @-@ lasting , weather resistant materials telling the nativity story . 
