A great tradition to have during the Advent season is preparing your Nativity Set with the exception of Baby Jesus. A Nativity set that is (temporarily) missing the Baby Jesus is a good reminder that it’s not quite Christmas yet!

St. John Paul II started the tradition of “Bambinelli Sunday”, where he encouraged children to bring their baby Jesus from their family’s nativity set to St. Peter’s Square for a special papal blessing. The children then place their baby Jesus figurine under the Christmas tree until Christmas morning (when He then rejoins the Nativity set). Pope Francis continues this tradition today.