16 November 26, 2014 2014 HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS MAGAZINE LINCOLN DAILY NEWS.com
The history of the Nativity
C
hristmas time means different
things to different people:
sitting around the fire with family
and friends, drinking hot chocolate
and telling stories, Christmas tree
lights at night, sleigh rides in the
snow, singing carols for shut-
ins, etc. Though traditions vary
from country to country, region to
region, and family to family, more
people celebrate Christmas than
any other event.
In 1223 St. Francis of Assisi was
concerned that the emphasis of
Christmas was upon materialism,
gift giving and secular traditions.
In an attempt to impact people to
worship Christ, St. Francis created
a live nativity scene in a cave in
Greccio, Italy. He invited people
to come gaze upon the scene as
he preached about the babe of
Bethlehem. This first nativity scene
staged Mary, Joseph, and baby
Jesus with an ox and a donkey. The
scene’s popularity inspired much
imitation throughout the world.
Hundreds of years later, a nativity
could be found in every church in
Italy.
Continued
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