Presepio figures from the Scurti & Alaimo families, collected through the years…thanks to my family: Rose & Frank Scurti, Uncle Jimmie Scurti, Grandparents Constantino & Celeste (ne Gentile) Scurti, Rosalia Fanara, Alaimo.

The first presepio was created by St. Francis of Assisi in 1223. He placed a manger and live animals in a cave outside the Italian village of Greccio, so locals could recreate the scene of Jesus’ birth before Christmas mass.