Christmas Nativity Sets – Some Interesting History
November 25th, 2009 | 
Author: Nativity Sets - I am not sure if you are aware but St Francis of Assisi has the honor of creating the first nativity set in 1223 in Italy. His reason was to try change the celebration of Christmas for the worship of Christ and not upon gift giving and materialism.
His nativity set was actually set in a cave near Greccio and the important point was that it was a living scene. It had animals and humans cast in the relevant Biblical roles. It was given the blessing of the pope at the time and it grew to the point that every Church in Italy had a nativity scene within 100 years.
Since the 18th century, one of the oldest nativity scenes in the United States is the Moravian Church in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
Hope this short little bit of history helps you enjoy your nativity set a little bit more.
Posted in Christmas Nativity Sets
I confess I did not know that it was St Francis that started the tradition! But in my neighborhood, some people go to a lot of trouble to create nativity scenes in their yards and I feel it helps to remind us – even for a moment – of what Christmas is really meant to be about.
Cece@Outdoor Nativity Scene´s last blog ..Inflatable Christmas Decorations
Live nativity’s are a lot of fun – unless its raining, of course. One of the churches here still does live nativity…thanks for the brief history lesson!
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Interesting little story. I never heard of the nativity history, so thanks for sharing that.
Here in my country you can’t see too much of these nativity scenes, it’s a shame they don’t decorate the town this way. Not even the churches.
Romy @ xmax Bucilla stockings´s last blog ..Felt Christmas Stockings Tips