 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 <unk> 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 . 
