Eight hundred years ago, in 1223, St. Francis of Assisi created the first recorded nativity scene. What compelled him to recreate the setting of Jesus’ birth for others to see was not pageantry and spectacle but a realization that many had lost the true spirit of Christmas.
It is believed that St. Francis had recently visited the humble cave in Bethlehem in which Jesus was born. Struck by the contrast between the conditions in which our Savior came into the world and the materialism and lavishness of Italian life at the time, St. Francis had the idea to recreate the scene from the cave to help people visualize the humble circumstances of Jesus’ birth.
Today, we see this familiar scene everywhere – Mary, Joseph, wisemen, and various livestock gathered around a baby in a manger – in our towns, churches, neighborhoods, and living rooms. But does it still incite in us the sense of humility St. Francis originally intended?
In a season of heightened materialism, it’s important to remember the humble way in which the greatest gift was given. God gave us his Son, Jesus, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, in a cave that served as a stable, surrounded by a carpenter, an unwed mother, and livestock.
Biblical generosity is an act of humility, a spiritual practice. It differs from philanthropy in this very core way. It is not only the receivers who are blessed by the generous act. The givers are also blessed as they press deeper into the purpose God has for their lives.
And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35 KJV)
God created us with a purpose: to bear his image in this world. What better picture of who God is than that humble, sacrificial posture of generosity displayed at the nativity scene?
This Christmas season, as you check wishlists, rush to and from stores, and carefully arrange stacks of Amazon boxes, remember the message St. Francis yearned to communicate with that first nativity scene, and allow your generosity to be a humble reflection of God’s own image.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
– Prayer of St. Francis
- How does the story of St. Francis and the first nativity scene challenge your perspective on the materialism and lavishness of modern life?
- In what ways can the act of giving be an expression of humility? How does true generosity differ from mere philanthropy?
- Consider the statement, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” How does this biblical teaching resonate with the concept of generosity as a form of humility?
- How might you incorporate the message of St. Francis’ nativity scene into your own life during the Christmas season and beyond? What practical steps can you take to infuse your acts of generosity with a deeper sense of humility and purpose?
- In what ways does the nativity scene, with its portrayal of humble circumstances and sacrificial love, serve as a reminder of God’s purpose for humanity? How can you embody this purpose through acts of generosity and selflessness?
