Christmas 2023 Marks 800th Anniversary of the Nativity’s First Recreation by St. Francis
For a Christian, every Christmas is a special occasion. Followers of Jesus Christ have commemorated the Lord’s miraculous virgin birth since the beginning of the church through the holiday. This year marks the 800th…
For a Christian, every Christmas is a special occasion.
Followers of Jesus Christ have commemorated the Lord’s miraculous virgin birth since the beginning of the church through the holiday.
This year marks the 800th anniversary of one of the most enduring and celebrated Christmas traditions.
St. Francis of Assisi has long been credited with the creation of the first Nativity scene in A.D. 1223.
The nobleman-turned-friar and mendicant created the first display of Mary, Joseph and the infant Jesus in a cave in the Italian village of Greccio that year, according to the National Catholic Register.
Francis was moved to create the display after his pilgrimage to the Holy Land