The iconography of Christmas,
especially the nativity scene, is central to Catholic culture,
especially in Rome.
John Allen finds three things one can learn about
Catholicism from observing the special place that the nativity scene
occupies in Catholic hearts.
Of course Italians don’t celebrate Thanksgiving, but it’s worth pointing out that Turkey Day just happened and it feels like Christmas season is here.
Last week, for instance, the Christmas tree to be displayed in St Peter’s Square arrived at the Vatican.
The 25-metre fir tree has already been put up in the square, which is the traditional annual signal that the holidays are upon us.
At the same time, the Basilica of Santa Maria del Popolo launched its 41st annual exhibit of 11 nativity scenes from around the world, while Vatican personnel were working feverishly to prepare the massive nativity scene that each year dominates St Peter’s Square.
During a presentation of the exhibit last Thursday, local schoolchildren performed a “living” nativity scene, while Italian Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, now the head of the Pontifical Academy for Life, was on hand.
Tradition has it that the very first nativity scene, a living one, was invented by St Francis of Assisi in 1223, after he visited the Holy Land and was inspired by seeing the birthplace of Christ in Bethlehem.
Of course, tradition attributes an awful lot to St Francis, some of it apocryphal, but it’s unquestionable that the Franciscan order over the centuries has done a great deal to promote the custom of erecting nativity scenes, either living ones or static, to mark the Christmas season.
It’s also a reminder that while the Franciscan impulse of embracing poverty and focusing on the earthy, popular level of the faith was something of a revolution in the 13th century, it has since become a constituent element of Catholic life and practice - not just for members of the Franciscan order, but for everyone.