Nativity

St Francis of Assisi is believed to have created the very first Nativity scene in Greccio, Italy, in 1223. Inspired by his love for Christ and his time spent in the Holy Land, he wanted people to experience the wonder of Jesus’ birth in a real and tangible way. He arranged a simple manger in a cave with hay and live animals, so that people could “see with their own eyes” the humility and poverty in which Jesus was born. This first Nativity brought great joy to all who gathered there, and ever since, Nativity scenes have helped Christians around the world to imagine and celebrate the birth of Jesus.