Legend has it that the first nativity scene was created by St. Francis of Assisi in the town of Greccio, in the center of Italy, in 1223. His was a living nativity scene, using real people in the place of the Holy Family along with local farm animals. A sanctuary now marks the spot.
Following is an account from St. Bonaventure's The Life of Saint Francis of Assisi, edited by Henry Edward, Archbishop of Westminster, published in 1868.
It happened in the third year before his death, that in order to excite the inhabitants of Greccio to commemorate the nativity of the Infant Jesus with great devotion, he determined to keep it with all possible solemnity; and lest he should be accused of lightness or novelty, he asked and obtained the permission of the sovereign Pontiff.
Then he prepared a manger, and brought hay, and an ox and an ass to the place appointed. The brethren were summoned, and the people ran together, the forest resounded with their voices, and that venerable night was made glorious by many and brilliant lights and sonorous psalms of praise. The man of God stood before the manger, full of devotion and piety, bathed in tears and radiant with joy; many Masses were said before it, and the holy Gospel was chanted by Francis, the Levite of Christ. Then he preached to the people around of the nativity of the poor King; and being unable to utter His name for the tenderness of his love, he called Him the Babe of Bethlehem.
A certain valiant and veracious soldier, Master John, of Greccio, who, for the love Christ, had left the warfare of this world, and became a good friend of the holy man, affirmed that he beheld an infant marvellously beautiful sleeping in that manger, whom the blessed Father Francis embraced with both his arms, as if he would awake Him from sleep. The vision of the devout soldier is credible, not only by reason of the sanctity of him that saw it, but by reason afterwards of the miracles which confirmed its truth. For the example of Francis, if it be considered by the world, is doubtless sufficient to excite all hearts which are deficient in the faith of Christ; and the hay of that manger, being preserved by the people, miraculously cured all diseases of cattle, and many other pestilences; God thus in all things glorifying His servant, and witnessing to the great efficacy of his holy prayers by manifest prodigies and miracles. |
