Praesepium

Praesepium is a Latin term that historically referred to a manger or crib, most famously associated with the Nativity of Jesus. In Christian tradition, it denotes the feeding trough where the infant Jesus was laid after his birth in Bethlehem. The Gospel of Luke is the primary source for this imagery, describing Mary wrapping her newborn son and placing him in a manger because there was no room in the inn.

Beyond its literal meaning, "praesepium" has also been used metaphorically. In ancient Rome, it could refer to a place where animals were kept, or more broadly, a repository or storehouse. Over time, the Nativity scene, with the praesepium at its center, became a significant element of Christmas art and liturgy, symbolizing humility, poverty, and the divine entering the world in a simple and unassuming way. The image of the humble manger continues to be a potent symbol of the Christmas story.