It just doesn’t feel like Christmas until you see the Christmas nativity displays lighting up front yards, churches and businesses. But when was the first Christmas nativity scene set up? Whose idea was it? When did it become a Christmas tradition? The answers may surprise you.
The First Christmas Nativity
The Christmas nativity wasn’t always a Christian tradition. It’s not like people were pantomiming Christ’s birth immediately following the resurrection. So when did it really begin?
The first Christmas nativity was actually arranged by Saint Francis of Assisi. Of course Saint Francis used real people to depict the famous scene, not lighted plastic figures. But why exactly did Saint Francis begin this holiday tradition?
Spreading the Word
While many of us take for granted the fact that we can pick up the Bible and read about the birth of Christ, back in the day of Saint Francis not everyone could read and not everyone had access to a Bible.
What better way to spread the joy of Christ’s birth than by “showing” the story to those who couldn’t read about it. And so the first Christmas nativity was born.
What Did the First Christmas Nativity Look Like?
The Christmas nativity set up by Saint Francis looked much different than the nativities we see today. First and foremost, real people were used — not statues. There were real animals too and a life-sized wax figure of the Christ child.
The popularity of the Christmas nativity grew and people starting displaying them at home. Wealthy families would even commission sculptors to create their very own nativity scenes.
Flash Forward
In today’s day and age, you don’t have to be wealthy to have your own Christmas nativity. Even the local Wal-Mart sells nativity decorations. What has changed, however, is the way Christmas nativities are viewed.
In America, where freedom of religion is supposed to ring true, it appears that the rule only applies to those who are not Christian. The Christmas nativity is under attack and there are those who don’t want them displayed in public places.
My opinion? This is the Christmas season. Let’s remember what the holiday is truly about and let the Christmas nativity scenes continue to be a wonderful Christmas tradition.
