Do you know where the whole idea of setting up these Nativity scenes came from? It goes back as far as the Middle Ages. In fact, it was first thought of by none other than St. Francis of Assisi himself! On December 24th, 1223, in the town of Greccio, Italy, St. Francis, inspired by his seraphic Love of God, erected the first Christmas Crèche.
In his book Life of St. Francis of Assisi, St. Bonaventure (1221-1274) recorded this memorable Christmas Eve. What happened that night would inspire millions of people for centuries to come…
It was the Christmas three years before St. Francis’ death, and the holy friar was filled with the burning desire to celebrate the Birth of the Christ Child in a very special way. His zeal prompted him to conceive an idea - an unprecedented one; something that had never been done before. His goal was to not only enkindle and increase the devotion and love of all for the Baby Jesus, but to give honor and love to Jesus Himself.
Going into the woods outside of Greccio, he began by preparing a manger and filling it with hay. With the help of the other friars, a big, strong ox, and a sleek, healthy donkey were brought to stand beside it. There were no statues, though, nor did anyone play the roles of the Holy Family. St. Francis wanted to simply recreate the atmosphere and spirit of the very first Christmas for the people of Greccio.
Dusk was falling as the friars and all the townsfolk gathered together around this reenactment of the first Christmas. The forest was aglow with the numerous candles and torches they bore, and the night resounded with their vibrant and melodious voices, as they sang the praises of God. St. Francis, filled with tender love, stood weeping tears of joy before the manger.
Then, in a voice which overflowed with his Love of the Divine Infant, the joyful friar began preaching to the gathered faithful about the Birth of the King of Kings. He spoke of how Christ had chosen a birth of poverty and humility to teach us the value of these virtues, which the world scorns as calamities and misfortunes. And in his love, whenever he referred to Jesus, the Saint affectionately called Him the ‘Child of Bethlehem’ .
In the midst of this special Christmas celebration, a certain knight by the name of Sir John of Greccio, was given a cherished grace. Sir John had left the secular army for the love of Christ, as St. Bonaventure tells us, and was also a close friend of St. Francis.
The devout soldier of Christ had been participating in the ceremonies with great fervor when, to his great surprise, he was permitted to see an extraordinary sight. Gazing into the manger, Sir John beheld the actual Infant Jesus lying there, sleeping peacefully. It was a most consoling sight to behold. There, the Holy Child of Bethlehem was in their midst. Their confident love had brought Him to them.
The knight glanced about, wondering if anyone else could see this beautiful vision. Smiling, he understood. Someone else did see it. For, the Child Jesus seemed to gently awaken from his sleep… when the blessed Francis took Him in both arms and pressed Him to his heart.
This vision of Sir John was not a mere vision. The truth that Jesus had lain in their manger was proven beyond dispute by the miracles which followed after that night. Many of the faithful kept strands of the straw and hay which had filled the manger as relics; and soon, the miraculous power which God had attached to them became apparent to all. Not only were they a marvelous remedy for their sick animals, but they even protected the people from many plagues and illnesses.
The example of St. Francis should stir up within our hearts a true love for the Christ Child and His Holy Family. His Mother Mary and His foster Father St. Joseph were the first human beings to behold our God made Man - and it was through Mary Herself that we received, and still receive, the Baby Jesus. Rewarding the deep, true love that St. Francis had for Him, the Child of Bethlehem came Himself to the First Crèche. The knight’s vision and the miraculous straw proved that not only did Jesus personally come that night… but that He received happiness there too - the happiness of receiving real love.
So this Christmas, whenever you see a Nativity scene, make sure to remember to offer up a little prayer of thanks to St. Francis of Assisi, who gave us this wonderful Christmas tradition.
And when you see one, also remember to try and imagine Who it is that the statues represent. For Jesus, Mary, and St. Joseph love us so incredibly, and Their desire for our love is beyond our understanding! We display the little figurines because we cannot see Them with our eyes…. but… if we choose to love Them back, and if we invite them to come into our homes and our hearts….
…They will.