When Pope Francis issued an apostolic letter calling for Nativity scenes to be more widely displayed in family homes and public places throughout the world, we reached out to B.C. Catholic readers to see if they were taking him up on the invitation. On this page you’ll see a few examples of Nativity scenes on public display across the Archdiocese of Vancouver.

“The enchanting image of the Christmas crèche, so dear to the Christian people, never ceases to arouse amazement and wonder,” Pope Francis wrote Dec. 1.

“The depiction of Jesus’ birth is itself a simple and joyful proclamation of the mystery of the Incarnation of the Son of God.”

He urged families to keep up the tradition of placing Nativity scenes in their homes as well as public spaces, including “in the workplace, in schools, hospitals, prisons, and town squares.”

If you have a photo of a public Nativity scene, please email it to us at [email protected]. We’ll add them to this page as we receive them.

A B.C. Catholic reader has this Nativity scene on display at their workplace. (Submitted photo)
A local Nativity scene. (Grace Lee photo)
A Nativity scene in South Surrey. (Submitted photo)
Painted Nativity on the streetfront window of St. Patrick's Church in Vancouver. (Submitted photo)
Nativity at St. John the Apostle Church in Vancouver. (Submitted photo)
Public Nativity outside St. James Church in Abbotsford. (Photo submitted)
An outdoor display in front of a home in Surrey.
An outdoor Nativity scene in Mission.
A handmade outdoor Nativity scene in Mission.
A “live” Nativity of actors after a performance at St. Paul’s Parish in Richmond. (Theresina Tam photo)
The “Dundarave Nativity”, part of the “Forest of Miracles” display by the Dundarave Festival of Lights Society in Vancouver.  St. Paul's Indian Catholic Church participates in this event and the nativity was blessed by Squamish elders Dec. 7. (Deacon Rennie Nahanee photo)
A Nativity scene inside a home in Vancouver. (Peter Rego photo)
A Nativity scene on display at St. Jude's Parish. (Frank Esposito photo)
This display was spotted at the District of North Vancouver Municipal Hall. Not pictured is a star illuminated on the roof outside. (Kelly Bond photo)
This Nativity scene can be seen from the window of the Pan family home. (Mark Pan photo)
This display is at St. Anthony of Padua School in Vancouver. (Ivy Chan photo)

Thank you for your submissions!