Every Christmas, Nativity scenes appear in homes, churches, and public spaces around the world. But who started this beloved tradition, and what did he hope people would experience through it? According to Dr. Bruce Davis, Ph.D., a spiritual psychologist and author, the answer lies with St. Francis of Assisi, who created the very first Nativity scene in 1223. "St. Francis wanted people to stop simply hearing the Christmas story, and instead, to start experiencing its meaning," Dr. Davis says. "By recreating the birth of Jesus in a cave outside Greccio, Italy, he sought to make the profound humility of Christ's arrival tangible, deepen their love and devotion to Him, and ultimately, help them reconnect with their own hearts."
This history matters because it challenges modern celebrations that often focus on gifts and decorations. Dr. Davis, author of The Love Letters of St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi: The Journey of Two Great Saints, Soaked in Love, Who Changed The World, argues that St. Francis's approach offers a way to rediscover the deeper meaning of the holiday amid today's commercialism. By bringing the story of Christ's birth to life, Francis believed people could move beyond passive hearing to transformative experience—a lesson that remains relevant more than 800 years later.
Dr. Davis is available to discuss what moved St. Francis to create the first live Nativity scene and why he believed there was something transformative about experiencing the story rather than simply reading it. He also explores how St. Francis's own spiritual journey made the Christmas story so real and literal for him, and how his teachings might help people reconnect with their own hearts today. These insights are particularly timely as families navigate the busy holiday season.
For those seeking a deeper connection, Dr. Davis's work extends beyond his writing. He and his wife, Ruth, lived for 12 years in Assisi, Italy, where they founded the Assisi Retreat Center, ranked among the top 10 meditation retreats in the world by CNN and Travel & Leisure magazine. Learn more at SilentStay.com and AssisiRetreats.org. His earlier book, The Magical Child Within You, was one of the earliest books devoted to nurturing the inner child.
As Christmas approaches, the story of St. Francis and the first Nativity scene serves as a reminder that the holiday is not merely about hearing the familiar story but about experiencing its meaning. Dr. Davis's perspective invites people to bring St. Francis's teachings into their own lives, making the season one of tangible humility, love, and inner peace.
