Hajja Salesjana

10 things that Pope Francis wants us to learn from the nativity scene Top image: Nativity Scene by Greg Olsen by CNA Staff In 2019, Pope Francis issued an apostolic letter on the meaning and importance of the Christmas nativity scene. He signed the document,  Admirabile signum  (“Enchanting image”), on Dec. 1 that same year, at the Shrine of the Nativity in Greccio, a hilltown in the Italian region of Lazio. The choice of Greccio was significant, because it was there that in 1223 St. Francis of Assisi created history’s first nativity scene. In the apostolic letter, widely regarded as one of the most moving documents of Francis’ pontificate, the Pope sets out “to encourage the beautiful family tradition of preparing the nativity scene in the days before Christmas.” Here are 10 things that Pope Francis wants us to learn from the nativity scene, drawn from Admirabile signum : 1. The nativity scene is like a living Gospel. The depiction of Jesus’ birth is “a simple and joyful proclamation of the mystery of the Incarnation of the Son of God,” the Pope writes. The nativity scene invites everyone who contemplates it “on a spiritual journey, drawn by the humility of the God who became man in order to encounter every man and woman.” 2 . The custom is rooted in the Bible. The Pope underlines that the nativity scene rises from “the pages of sacred Scripture.” St. Luke’s Gospel says that Mary “gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn” (Lk.2:7). The manger is the focus of nativity scenes. Indeed, the Italian word for nativity scene is “presepe,” from the Latin word “ praesepium ” meaning “manger.” 3. The tradition was born in Greccio, an unassuming Italian town. St. Francis of Assisi stopped in Greccio in November 1223, probably on his way back from Rome after receiving papal approval 32 Ottubru-Diċembru 2024 hajja