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NATIVITY FROM MEXICO – Colorful ‘Tree of Life,’ made by Alfonso Soteno Fernandez in Metepec, Mexico, in 2005, is currently on display at the Knights of Columbus Museum in New Haven. (Photo courtesy of Knights of Columbus Museum)

NEW HAVEN – One of the wonders of Christmas is the diversity of individual expression that the faithful have brought to the season over the centuries.

Nowhere is this in greater evidence than in an exhibit of more than 130 authentic ethnic crèches from 17 countries on display at the Knights of Columbus Museum now through Jan. 31.

“A Latino Christmas: Nativities of Latin America” features a range of crèches, from miniatures to displays that are 15 feet long, as well as Nativity scenes with 36-inch-high statues from Central and South America, the Caribbean, and four states in this country.

“This is our fifth exhibit of Nativity crèches and our best yet,” said Larry Sowinski, director of the museum. “The pieces are so unique, and the trees of life from Mexico are absolutely breathtaking.”

Latin countries represented are Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Peru and Venezuela. Crèches from the United States are from Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas, and Puerto Rico.  Notably, Mexico, Peru and New Mexico are famous for the volume and quality of their nacimientos (crèches).

A number of the extraordinary works are on loan from Mexico’s Formento Cultural Banamex collection and six private collections in the United States.

“What makes the exhibit so significant is that what the missionaries brought with them on their voyages to the New World are the crèches from Europe to which Latin American artisans have added their own style,” said Mr. Sowinski.

It was Saint Francis of Assisi who is credited with creating the first Christmas Nativity scene in 1232 to commemorate Christ’s birth. That now revered tradition was spread throughout the world in part by European missionaries and explorers who brought the scenes with them on their journeys, including those to Latin America, where the history of crèche design can be traced back to the early 16th century.

Previous Christmas exhibitions have featured crèches from Poland, Vatican City and Italy as well as a collection from around the world.

Located at One State Street in New Haven, the museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily except for Christmas. Admission and onsite parking are free. Information is available by calling (203) 865-0400 or visiting online at kofcmuseum.org.