National Catholic Register News
https://www.ncregister.com/tag/vatican-nativity-scene
The scene in St. Peter’s Square depicts not only Mary and Joseph standing beside the manger, but also St. Francis of Assisi, who organized the first Nativity scene in a cave in the Italian village of Greccio on Christmas Eve in 1223.
Christmas 2023 marks 800 years since St. Francis of Assisi staged the first manger scene in the hill town of Greccio, about 50 miles north of Rome.
The Nativity scene was made by the combined effort of more than 30 artisans. It features the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph, wearing large golden crowns, in a stable with the Baby Jesus surrounded by angels.
The number of faithful taking part in the Christmas liturgical celebrations will be limited, but all scheduled ceremonies will be livestreamed on social media and other platforms.
‘I haven’t seen anyone say they feel more Christian because they’ve seen it,’ art historian Elizabeth Lev said of the controversial display.
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