We’re accustomed to seeing Nativity scenes in stables and caves; sometimes, the scenes even unfold under the open sky. But the one going up at the Vatican this week sounds altogether different — and very fitting, actually, coming from a pope named Joseph:

Sheltered under a tree and concealed by burlap and scaffolding, the Nativity scene in St. Peter’s Square — still under construction — was planned to put the Holy Family in Joseph’s carpentry workshop.

The Vatican office in charge of the creche’s construction took its inspiration from Matthew’s Gospel account of the birth of Jesus: “When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home. He had no relations with her until she bore a son and he named him Jesus.”

The central scene was designed to be Joseph’s dwelling and his carpentry workshop with angels hovering above from a small balcony, according to a Dec. 13 written statement by the office for technical services for Vatican City.

The scene was to be flanked by another carpentry shop and an inn.

Joseph lived and worked in Nazareth while “Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea” as Matthew’s account also confirms.

Pier Carlo Cuscianna, director of technical services for Vatican City, told Catholic News Service Dec. 14 he was aware of the “polemic” circulating in the press over the Vatican depicting Jesus’ birth in Joseph’s home.

He did not say whether the scene was to be in Nazareth or Bethlehem, but said, “I am certain Matthew reflected well on the meaning” of home in the Gospel verse on which the Vatican office based its design.

The Vatican’s 2006 scene placed the Holy Family under a tent nestled in rock.

This year, in addition to Mary, Joseph, the baby Jesus and the three kings, the creche in St. Peter’s Square will also feature a baker and musicians.

Personally, I can’t wait to see it.