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By Erika Ulloa, this enchanting nativity scene is set in the Peruvian highlands. Alpacas kneel beside the manger where the tiny Christ child is laid on colorful Andean weavings. Little Jesus and the shepherd boys wear traditional apparel. The artisan crafts the wooden box to house this retablo, or diorama, and paints it in vivid colors. The figures are carefully modeled from clay and painted by hand.

Baby Jesus smiles a peaceful smile in this endearing nativity scene from Guillermo and Eduardo. They dress Mary and Joseph in the style of the Shipibo people of the Peruvian Amazons. Featuring a puma, leopard and beaver, each of the seven ceramic pieces is painted by hand with admirable expertise.

At home in the stable, Mary and Joseph sit on the step to enjoy a bit of fresh air. Alberto Aparicio Canchari sets the first Christmas in the Andes, dressing the Holy Family in traditional clothing. Prickly pear cactuses frame the tile-roofed dwelling, and a llama accompanies the Virgin.

Highly revered and beloved by the Mexican people, the Virgin of Guadalupe inspires Ana Maria Gonzalez to create a collection of decoupage crosses in her honor. In 1999, Pope John Paul II named Our Lady of Guadalupe patron saint of the Americas, and she is celebrated on December 12. Her well-known image miraculously appeared on the Saint Juan Diego's robe, where he was carrying Castilian roses as proof of her appearance to him. Guadalupe sent him to the Spanish bishop to convince him to a build a church in her honor. For this cross, Gonzalez selects the banner that proclaims her as Reina de Mexico y Emperatriz de las Americas, (Queen of Mexico and Empress of the Americas).

Garnet, citrine, iolite, peridot, and amethyst surround a central blue topaz in this sterling silver pendant. The gems are hand-cut in Jaipur and hand-set in Kolkata. Inspired by the works of recently canonized missionary Mother Teresa, who spent much of her life ministering in Kolkata.