Before 1223, people mainly celebrated Christmas by going to church. However, priests told the Christmas story in Latin, a language normal people didn’t speak.
St. Francis of Assisi wanted a better way to share the miracle of Christ’s birth. With the Pope’s permission, he arranged what became the first living nativity scene. He set it in a cave outside of Greccio, Italy. Local shepherds watched their flocks in nearby fields, just like that long-ago night in Bethlehem. While inside the cave, live animals surrounded the manger and the new family.
It’s easy for us to imagine today, but the worshipers attending that night must have felt they’d been transported back in time. They were “seeing” the story of Christmas come alive before their very eyes.
That first living nativity, envisioned by St. Francis of Assisi, was so popular, the practice quickly spread around the world and soon became a Christmas tradition.
This Christmas day, remember the nativity and that babe born in Bethlehem. For He’s the reason, we celebrate.
Luke 2:4-20
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem (because he was of the house and lineage of David), 5 To be registered with Mary, his espoused wife, being great with child. 6 And so it was that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her first-born son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And, lo, an angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them; and they were very much afraid. 10 And the angel said until them, Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly hosts, praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. 16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. 17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. 18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.