Yesterday I posted about how St. Francis devised the first crèche in 1223 in Greccio. Since St. Francis was born and died in Assisi, and the papal church dedicated to him is in Assisi, it follows that Assisi would celebrate the Christmas season in a big way. Indeed it does.

Last December I was lucky enough to visit Assisi during the Christmas season, and the nativity scenes staged in the town are quite something! Here are some pictures. The first set are from at the basilica itself, outside the portal of the Upper Church:

It was a very misty day when I was in Assisi. It added to the atmosphere!

If you have visited the church of St. Francis in Assisi, you will know that there are actually 2 churches in one, the lower and upper churches. The following pictures are outside the portal to the Lower Church.

The next set of pictures are from the crèche scene in the center of Assisi, the Piazza del Comune:

And this final set of pictures is from the cathedral of Assisi, the church of St. Rufino: Here we have only the Annunciation scene played out, with Mary on the right and Gabriel on the left.

It is said that Saint Francis was the first to stage a nativity play back in the 1223. He wanted to bring the story of Christmas closer to the people, so he devised the first living crèche (or crib; in Italian presepe) in Greccio. The idea was to discourage would-be pilgrims from going to Bethlehem, as it was a risky venture, the Holy Land being then under the control of the Turks. The tradition continues there to this day, and a memorial of St. Francis, the Santuario di S. Francesco, may be visited.

https://www.nataledifrancesco.it/en/

Francis, recalling a visit he had made years before to Bethlehem, resolved to create the manger he had seen there. The ideal spot was a cave in nearby Greccio. He would find a baby, hay upon which to lay him, an ox, and an ass to stand beside the manger. Word went out to the people of the town. At the appointed time, they arrived carrying torches and candles. One of the friars began celebrating Mass while Francis himself gave the sermon. His biographer, Thomas of Celano, recalls that Francis stood before the manger, overwhelmed with love and filled with a wonderful happiness. For Francis, the simple celebration was meant to recall the hardships Jesus suffered even as an infant, a savior who chose to become poor for our sake, a truly human Jesus.

Reading a lot of books now that winter is upon us. Just finished this brilliant novel, actually quite a marvel.

Just finished reading this fine book. Highly recommend.

Holy Cow, what a creche this is! An over life-size complete creche from Naples! Accompanied at Christmastime with Baroque music piped into the gallery. One of my favorite Christmas traditions ever!

I just finished reading this wonderful new novel, set in Viareggio, Lucca, Marseille, and Scotland. I highly recommend!

Thanks to Putin and his war. As you must know, he cut off energy flow to Europe. The only good thing that can be said about it is that it is high time for Europe to be independent from this dictator.