The First Nativity by St. Francis

The first nativity scene was created by St. Francis of Assisi in 1223 in Greccio, Italy near the village of Assisi. St. Francis’ goal was to create a living representation of the birth of Jesus…. to inspire devotion and bring the Christmas story to life for the local community.

He created a manger scene with hay in a hillside grotto, included live animals, and invited villagers to witness the scene. He sought to emphasize the humility of Christ’s birth. The nativity was designed to evoke a sense of wonder and reflection on the significance of the Incarnation.  It is believed that one of the witnesses to Francis’ first Nativity, John of Velita, a nobleman of Greccio who helped to prepare the cave, had a vision where the Infant Jesus appeared in the manger as Francis knelt to awaken the child.

St. Francis did not require any formal church approval to create the nativity, but he sought the permission of the local bishop, who supported his initiative.

His inspiration stemmed from a deep desire to make the story of Jesus accessible and relatable, especially to those who could not read or understand scripture. This innovative approach laid the foundation for the tradition of nativity scenes that continues today around the world.

Assisi is a town located in the Perugia province of the Umbria region in central Italy. It is situated approximately 12 miles (19 km) east of Perugia and is renowned as the birthplace of St. Francis, the founder of the Franciscan order. The town is perched on the slopes of Monte Subasio and is known for its historical and spiritual significance.