“Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people” (Luke 2:10)
A beautiful Nativity scene awaits all who pass by the Chancery for the Diocese of Lake Charles at 1201 Ryan Street. The creche was set up by Eric Young, facilities manager for the Chancery. Eric also constructed the wooden backdrop for the manger and the pedestal for the angel.
When people set up their Nativity scenes this year, they are continuing a tradition that began nearly 800 years ago in 1223.
St. Francis of Assisi is credited with staging the first Nativity scene. He was inspired by his travels to the Holy Land in 1219 and 1220, where he witnessed the sites of Christ’s birth, life, death, and resurrection. The only historical account we have comes from “The Life of St. Francis of Assisi” by St. Bonaventure, a Franciscan monk who was born five years before Francis’ death.
According to St. Bonaventure’s biography, St. Francis received permission from Pope Honorious III to set up a manger with hay and two live animals — an ox and a donkey — in a cave in the Italian village of Greccio. Francis invited villagers to gaze upon the scene while he preached about “the babe of Bethlehem.” Bonaventure also claims that the hay used by Francis miraculously acquired the power to cure local cattle diseases.
Just as St. Francis sought to make the Incarnation real for the people of Greccio, we too are called to encounter Christ and bring Him to others.
