Celebrate the Holiday Season with a Twist: 8 Centuries of the Live Nativity Scene
This Christmas, there's one more celebration to add to your list: the 800th anniversary of the live nativity scene. According to the official interpretation of the Roman Catholic Church, the nativity scene will turn 8 centuries old on December 25, 2023. The first-ever live nativity scene is believed to have been enacted in 1223 in the vicinity of Greccio, a tiny Italian village. St. Francis of Assisi, now famously known as Pope Francis, is said to be the mastermind behind this innovative performance.
The 800th birthday is being celebrated with pomp and show, both in Greccio and at the Vatican. Greccio is half-way into an 8-week cultural extravaganza, while Pope Francis set up a life-size, Greccio-inspired nativity scene in St. Peter's Square. The highly influential figure of the Head of 1.3 billion Catholics, Pope Francis, views this tradition—venerated for its simplicity—as a guiding light towards God. During his childhood, the Pope described the nativity scene as a cherished holiday tradition that was never absent from his family's house in Buenos Aires.
Nativity Scenes Through the Ages: A European Tradition
Nativity scenes have been a long-standing European tradition, especially in Catholic regions. Families would recreate the nativity scene from the stable in Bethlehem at home using wooden, wax, metal, clay, or papier-mâché figurines. Scenes crafted by German, French, and Italian artisans were particularly popular. Many farmers in Europe would craft handmade nativity figures as a respected hobby during winters.
The usual nativity scene setup consisted of Baby Jesus in a manger, Mary and Joseph by his side, an ox and donkey, shepherds, and musicians. Newborn Baby Jesus would never be placed in the manger before Christmas Eve, and the three wise men along with their camels would only join the party on January 6. By February 2 at the latest, the Feast of Candlemas, everything would be packed away until the following Christmas.
As Christmas celebrations began to commercialize, however, nativity scenes in European homes gradually fell out of favor. However, they remained a prominent fixture in many churches around the world.
The Infancy Narrative: St. Francis of Assisi and the Humble Beginnings
It is believed that St. Francis established the live nativity scene in order to make the Christmas story more accessible and relatable to the people of Greccio, as many could not read at that time. According to the biographer of St. Francis, Thomas of Celano, participants of the midnight mass experienced an "unprecedented joy." Legend also suggests that one friar saw the infant Jesus during this performance.
Is it True? The Evidence and Controversy
Despite the popularity and reverence attached to the story, there are several questions surrounding its historical accuracy. While there are no written records of St. Francis conducting a live nativity scene, there are much older depictions of Christ's birth, such as those found on early Christian sarcophagi or early Romanesque cathedrals. One of the oldest depictions is in the church of Santa Maria Maggiore, Rome, from 1291.
Regardless of the historical accuracy, Greccio proudly affirms its claim as the birthplace of the live nativity scene, with a sign at the entrance as a testament to its pride. Greccio's Christmas market attracts visitors from all walks of life, and while some argue that the focus on commercialism has detracted from the spiritual significance of the nativity scene, supporters of the tradition argue that it is important to preserve this deeply cherished tradition.
The Birth of the Christmas Story: The Beginnings of a European Heritage
As the holiday season approaches and families gather to celebrate the timeless tale of the Nativity, it is worth reminding ourselves of the beginnings of this beloved tradition. When we look at the history of the live nativity scene in Europe, we can see the enduring power of storytelling, the importance of tradition, and the unique blend of spirituality and popular culture that shapes our understanding of the holiday season. Through cherished traditions like the live nativity scene, we can experience and share the story of God's greatest gift to humanity—the birth of Jesus Christ.
