Christmas 2024: Monumental nativity scene installed in Mexico City

In front of the Metropolitan Cathedral, in the heart of the Zócalo—Plaza de la Constitución—of Mexico City, an imposing monumental nativity scene is displayed that includes a four-meter-high figure of the Baby Jesus.

This birth is one of the main attractions of the Christmas Verbenaorganized by the Government of Mexico City from December 17 to 30, as part of the season’s celebrations. The event offers a varied artistic program, which includes the theatrical performance of a pastorela and concerts by musical groups.

According to the website of the Government of Mexico City, the figure of the Child Jesus, known as “The Child of Peace and Good”, was created in 2013 by the Gómez Reséndiz family, artists and sculptors from the Iztapalapa mayor’s office, in the east of the city. .

The sculpture, molded in resin with a metal structure, measures 4 meters long by 2.5 meters wide, and its manger reaches 5 meters in length, with a total weight of 400 kilos and, according to the authorities, this work seeks ” preserve, exalt, rescue and spread the true meaning of the birth of the Child Jesus.”

The manger is complemented by the imposing figures of Joseph and Mary, each 10 meters high and weighing one ton each. As part of the Christmas Festival, three Christmas trees were also installed, decorated with traditional Christmas Eve flowers, which reach heights of 10, 12 and 14 meters.

According to the authorities, this monumental installation represents “a prayer turned into art, which exalts the cultural and religious tradition of citizens during the celebration of Christmas and the Candlemas festival on February 2.”