A Lovely Christmas Tradition: The Origins of the Creche
Posted 11-14-2007 at 04:39 AM by daydreambeliever
Updated 11-14-2007 at 05:01 AM by daydreambeliever
Updated 11-14-2007 at 05:01 AM by daydreambeliever
Pope Benedict XVI recently visited an elaborate thirty-square metre nativity scene in Naples where he celebrated Mass. He will also celebrate Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve at the huge nativity display in St. Peter’s Square under the huge Christmas tree. The Pope traditionally does this every year.
Crèches or nativity scenes are a wonderful tradition which began in Italy. Originally il presepe or crèches meant simple mangers but they soon grew into more intricate scenes, including angels, the Magi and animals as well as the Holy Family.
There is a legend that the first presipio was constructed at St. Mary Major’s Basilica at the Equine Hill in Rome in the seventh century because that was where the relics of the Cradle of Jesus were brought.
Saint Francis is credited with popularizing the crèche in 1223. He was asked by a holy man called John to create a nativity scene to celebrate the birth of Christ and Pope Honorius III gave him permission to hold mass there. With the help of Giovanni Vellita, a landowner, he created a straw-filled manger in which to lay a child representing the Baby Jesus and he built a simple display including a real ox and donkey, in a cave near the town of Greccio. Here he celebrated mass at Christmas.
Saint Bonaventure described the scene:
"Many brothers and good people came at Francis's bidding, and during the night the weather also was beautiful. Many lights were kindled, songs and hymns were sung with great solemnity so that the whole wood echoed with the sound, and the man of God stood by the manger, filled with the utmost joy, and shedding tears of devotion and compassion. By his order the manger had been so arranged that Mass was celebrated on it, and blessed Francis...sang the gospel and preached to the people on the Nativity of Christ our King, and whenever he pronounced his name with infinite tenderness he called Him the 'little Babe of Bethlehem.'" This was probably the first living nativity scene.
The tradition of creating crèches soon spread throughout Italy. In Naples they became very elaborate and involved. Saint Gaetano added various figures to the scene and encouraged families to create their own as a Christmas tradition. The detailed figurines and displays of Naples are very famous and can be seen along the Via San Gregorio Armeno every year.
Families as well as churches began constructing nativity scenes. Wealthy families even employed sculptors in some cases. Lovely figurines even had their own jewelry, glass eyes and clothes of fine silks and brocades. They often included townspeople and elaborate scenery as well as the basic figures and animals. Bernini even made one for Prince Barberini.
Some other figurines which were often included in the scenes included La Befana, la Gatta della Madonna and shepherd-bagpipers. La Befana was an old lady who visited children on the eve of Epiphany according to legend. La Gatta della Madonna was the cat who many believe had her kittens in the stable on the night where Christ was born. There is an old story that Italian shepherds came down from the hills with their bagpipes to announce Christ’s birth.
Living presipe also became popular and featured actors and animals. These were usually in front of the churches and attracted large audiences.
In later centuries poorer families also created their own crèches. These were usually very simple with wooden figurines. The tradition spread throughout Europe where German nativity scenes also became elaborate and famous.
Today Italian creches can feature aristocratic people dressed in their finery, market scenes, street scenes and even visiting circuses.
In 1953 the Pope became worried that the tradition of the Christmas tree was dominating Christmas to the detriment of the crèche. He formed an organization of the Friends of the Crèche which now has members all over the world and helps to ensure that this beautiful tradition doesn’t die.
Lisa-Anne Sanderson
Here are some photos of antique Italian nativity figures from an exhibit at Ann Arbor, Michigan: http://www-personal.umich.edu/~akc/Creche/Presepio.htm
Crèches or nativity scenes are a wonderful tradition which began in Italy. Originally il presepe or crèches meant simple mangers but they soon grew into more intricate scenes, including angels, the Magi and animals as well as the Holy Family.
There is a legend that the first presipio was constructed at St. Mary Major’s Basilica at the Equine Hill in Rome in the seventh century because that was where the relics of the Cradle of Jesus were brought.
Saint Francis is credited with popularizing the crèche in 1223. He was asked by a holy man called John to create a nativity scene to celebrate the birth of Christ and Pope Honorius III gave him permission to hold mass there. With the help of Giovanni Vellita, a landowner, he created a straw-filled manger in which to lay a child representing the Baby Jesus and he built a simple display including a real ox and donkey, in a cave near the town of Greccio. Here he celebrated mass at Christmas.
Saint Bonaventure described the scene:
"Many brothers and good people came at Francis's bidding, and during the night the weather also was beautiful. Many lights were kindled, songs and hymns were sung with great solemnity so that the whole wood echoed with the sound, and the man of God stood by the manger, filled with the utmost joy, and shedding tears of devotion and compassion. By his order the manger had been so arranged that Mass was celebrated on it, and blessed Francis...sang the gospel and preached to the people on the Nativity of Christ our King, and whenever he pronounced his name with infinite tenderness he called Him the 'little Babe of Bethlehem.'" This was probably the first living nativity scene.
The tradition of creating crèches soon spread throughout Italy. In Naples they became very elaborate and involved. Saint Gaetano added various figures to the scene and encouraged families to create their own as a Christmas tradition. The detailed figurines and displays of Naples are very famous and can be seen along the Via San Gregorio Armeno every year.
Families as well as churches began constructing nativity scenes. Wealthy families even employed sculptors in some cases. Lovely figurines even had their own jewelry, glass eyes and clothes of fine silks and brocades. They often included townspeople and elaborate scenery as well as the basic figures and animals. Bernini even made one for Prince Barberini.
Some other figurines which were often included in the scenes included La Befana, la Gatta della Madonna and shepherd-bagpipers. La Befana was an old lady who visited children on the eve of Epiphany according to legend. La Gatta della Madonna was the cat who many believe had her kittens in the stable on the night where Christ was born. There is an old story that Italian shepherds came down from the hills with their bagpipes to announce Christ’s birth.
Living presipe also became popular and featured actors and animals. These were usually in front of the churches and attracted large audiences.
In later centuries poorer families also created their own crèches. These were usually very simple with wooden figurines. The tradition spread throughout Europe where German nativity scenes also became elaborate and famous.
Today Italian creches can feature aristocratic people dressed in their finery, market scenes, street scenes and even visiting circuses.
In 1953 the Pope became worried that the tradition of the Christmas tree was dominating Christmas to the detriment of the crèche. He formed an organization of the Friends of the Crèche which now has members all over the world and helps to ensure that this beautiful tradition doesn’t die.
Lisa-Anne Sanderson
Here are some photos of antique Italian nativity figures from an exhibit at Ann Arbor, Michigan: http://www-personal.umich.edu/~akc/Creche/Presepio.htm
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