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A history of the nativity scene BY FAITH CATHOLIC STAFF “The Nativity scene is like a living Gospel rising up from the pages of sacred Scripture.” – Pope Francis’ apostolic letter Admirabile Signum, “On the Meaning and Importance of the Nativity Scene,” 2019 (1) As Catholics, Nativity scenes, or crèches, fill us with wonder
- The First Depictions of The Infant Christ
- Changing Conceptions of Christ
- From Feats of Artistry to Religious Idolatry
- The Modern Christmas Crèche
Saint Francis of Assisi is often erroneously credited with creating the first crèche (a French word derived from the Latin cripia, or crib). According to his followers, he evoked the birth of Jesus by setting up a mangerfilled with hay, an ox and a donkey in Greccio, Italy, in 1223. “By setting the scene in a real environment, Francis intended to p...
The Adoration of the Magi remained a popular subject for centuries, inspiring such artists as Leonardo da Vinci, Sandro Botticelli and Diego Velázquez. But while the story of the wise men’s visit is entwined with that of Jesus’s birth, the two eventually began to be marked on separate days, with the Adoration traditionally falling on January 6 and ...
During the Renaissance, the southern Italian city of Naples won acclaim for its extravagant Nativity scenes—a claim to fame that it retains today. In the late 15th century, brothers Pietro and Giovanni Alamanno created life-size sculptures of religious figures for display in local chapels, covering the likenesses in paint and gold leaf. A few decad...
In the 21st century, the Christmas crèche has become a subject of controversy, in large part due to the perennial debate over whether this religious symbol belongs on public property. Only in 2022, after six decades of existence, has the European Parliament allowed a Nativity sceneto be set up in its Brussels headquarters. Previously, officials had...
Every one of us has a Nativity scene in our homes, but how often do we really think about them? Let’s turn to the Nativity scene this Christmas with the same spirit St. Francis did, and awaken our hearts to what Jesus did for us. Pope Francis prays in the chapel at Greccio. The stone under the altar is the one on which St. Francis placed the ...
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By analyzing the rhetorical and theological strategies employed by Chrysostom, I aim to contribute to understanding how the Nativity of Christ was articulated and commemorated in the late antique Christian context.
- Thomas O'Loughlin
Oct 26, 2018 · The Nativity Scene is a meaningful expression for our religious faith. With it, we provide a captivating visual focus during the Christmas season. In order to fully appreciate all the Nativity is, it is important to understand its origins and the context it was created.
In the middle of the 1500s, families began to put up Nativity scenes in their homes. And living Nativity scenes like the one that St. Francis started centuries ago remain popular to this day. Who was there? The Gospels of Matthew and Luke describe Jesus’ birth.
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At its heart, the Nativity scene tells the story of Jesus’ birth as described in the gospels of Matthew and Luke. Key elements and figures commonly included are: The Stable: The humble backdrop of the scene, representing the place in Bethlehem where Jesus was born.
