Tradition Of The Nativity Scene Dates To St. Francis Of Assisi

Have you wondered how the custom of setting up a Nativity scene in our Churches and homes started and became a part of our Christmas celebration each year?   This tradition goes back to the year 1223 when Francis of Assisi realized that the spirituality prevalent in the Church at that time was experiencing God as one who is distant and not present in the daily lives of the people.

 Two biographers of St. Francis, Thomas of Celano (a contemporary of Francis) and St. Bonaventure, have written about how Francis’ desired to bring the experience of knowing Jesus more personally close to the people again. Read here the section from Francis’s biography by Thomas of Celano:

“Francis of Assisi’s highest intention, greatest desire, and supreme purpose was to observe the holy gospel in and through all things. He wanted to learn and walk in the footsteps of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to do so perfectly, with all vigilance, all zeal, complete desire of the mind, and complete fervor of the heart. He remembered Christ's words through constant meditation and recalled his actions through daily contemplation. The humility of Jesus’ Incarnation and the love of his passion so occupied Francis’ memory that he scarcely wished to think of anything else.  What he did in the third year before his death, in the town called Greccio, Italy, on the birthday of our Lord Jesus Christ, should be reverently remembered.

“There was in that place a certain man named John, of good reputation and holy life, whom Francis knew and loved. Around fifteen days before the birthday of Christ, Francis sent for John and said to him, "If you wish to celebrate the feast of the Lord at Greccio, hurry and do what I tell you. I want to do something that will recall the memory of that child who was born in Bethlehem, to see with bodily eyes the inconveniences of his infancy, how he lay in the manger, and how the ox and ass stood by." Upon hearing this, the good and faithful John hurried to prepare all that Francis had requested.

“The day of joy drew near, the time of exultation approached. The Brothers were called from the various places where they lived. With glad hearts, the men and women of that place prepared candles and torches to light up that night which has illuminated all the days and years with its glittering star.  Francis arrived and, finding everything prepared, he saw it and rejoiced.

“The manger was ready, hay was brought, the ox and donkey were led in. Simplicity was honored there, poverty was exalted, humility was commended and a new Bethlehem, as it were, was created at Greccio. Night was illuminated like the day, delighting all who gathered. The people come and joyfully celebrate the mystery of Jesus’ coming anew. The forest resounded with voices and the rocks responded to their rejoicing. The Brothers sang joyfully of praise to God, and the whole night echoed with jubilation. Francis stood before the manger filled with awe and devotion, and radiant with a marvelous joy. The solemnities of the Mass were performed near the manger and the priest experienced a new consolation.

“Francis wore a deacon's vestments, for he was a deacon of the Church, and he sang the Holy Gospel with a joy-filled voice. Then he preached to the people gathered there, telling them about the birth of the poor Child and the little city of Bethlehem where Jesus had been born.

“The gifts of the Almighty were multiplied there and a marvelous vision was seen by a certain virtuous man. For he saw a little child lying lifeless in the manger, and he saw Francis approach, lift and awaken the child as if from a deep sleep. This was a fitting vision, for in the hearts of many the child Jesus really had been forgotten.  Now, by God’s grace and through his servant Francis, Jesus had been brought back to life and brought near again into the lives of the people. When the celebration ended, all returned joyfully to their homes carrying their brightly lit torches and lighting up that night.”

Franciscan Sister Jane McConnell is Director of Mission Integration for St. Mary’s Health in Evansville.