Carol Fisher-Linn
The Living Nativity: The Nativity, Christ’s birth, has long been represented from as far back as about AD380. This is when art of the nativity was found in an early Christian Roman catacomb of Saint Valentine. Another, dated in the same period is beneath the pulpit of Sant’Ambrogio, Milan, Italy. However, these renditions were scarce. Finally, in 1223, Francis of Assisi known as the patron saint of animals and the founder of the Catholic church’s Franciscan Order, wanted a way to give people a fresh sense of wonder about the miracles recorded in the Bible about the first Christmas. Before this, people attended worship services where priests told the story of the nativity – in Latin. Not everyone understood Latin so it was meaningless to many. Some artistic renditions about the miracle in Bethlehem may have been shown but there were no realistic stable scenes for the worshiper to relate to. The birth of Christ was extremely meaningful to Francis and he knew others would feel the same sense of miraculous wonder if they could just relate to it. So, he borrowed a donkey and an ox from a friend and secured a cave and some live people willing to portray the Holy Family. With permission from the Pope, he obtained a wax figure of the infant Jesus and set the scene up in a cave outside of Greccio, Italy where he was living at the time. The best part of the scene was that shepherds were already watching over the sheep in their nearby fields just as the original shepherds watched on that first Christmas. Of course, those original shepherds observed the sky being filled with angels who announced Christ’s birth and in Bethlehem, a star appeared, leading the way for the three kings. One wonders if on that night in 1223, a bright star may have also appeared to complete the holy story. From this event also sprung the traditional Nativity Play and through Francis’ influence came Christmas Carols and this being the most beloved since 1850. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing!
This year, as you assemble your creche scene, bring it to life as you place the figurines. To make it more real, put straw in the manger by leave it empty until Christmas eve and only then place the baby Jesus. Pause. Think about physically being in Bethlehem – imagine what it must have been like. Really remember the reason for the season.
These days we have programs featuring the living nativity, as we recently enjoyed in Ellicottville, but more often figurines are displayed. The first commercially produced decorations appeared in Germany in the 1860s, inspired by paper chains made by children.
In 15th century England homes were decorated with any greens – green represented eternal life. The heart shaped ivy represented Jesus coming to earth, holly was hung for protecting from evil spirits with its thorns and red berries representing the crucifixion when Christ wore the crown of thorns.
The first recorded Christmas trees are said to have been used by the German Lutherans in the 16th century. Morovians lit the tree with real candles with the star atop the tree symbolizing the star of Bethlehem. By the 1870s, people in the United States had adopted the custom of putting up a Christmas tree, still with candles. During the Christmas season of 1880, Thomas Edison, inventor of the first successful practical light bulb, created the first strand of electric Christmas lights and hung them outside his Menlo Park laboratory in New Jersey. Trees could now be safely lighted.
Advent wreaths have been traditionally lit in many church services for centuries. Poinsettias have been a tradition as a symbol for the star of Bethlehem since the 16th century. Of course, Christmas would not be Christmas without another plant, mistletoe, and the traditional kiss. But here’s what you may not know about mistletoe – one of the white berries was traditionally removed when someone was kissed under it as a fertility ritual. Be aware!
The Morovians in early American settlements also gave us the tradition of placing decorative mini villages around the tree. Post WWII, in our home, my father took charge of decorations while mom baked. He laid down two boards of plywood to set the tree upon and then built a huge village under the tree with mountains and animals and farms and people and ponds and running mills and trains and … oh, my. There were also summer and winter villages with grass made of green dyed sawdust.” And, of course, a hand-made stable which is a cherished heirloom in our family. May you enjoy your holidays and cherish the old traditions while making some of your own.
Heartfelt thanks for some of the information for this article go to Wikipedia and Whitney Hopler at learnreligions.com