Live Scene of Nativity - Our Lady of Hope Church - Cold Township (PA)

This year, when festive lights twinkle in homes worldwide, we will find ourselves at a significant milestone. It is the 800th anniversary of a tradition that has, for centuries, symbolized the true essence of Christmas.
This iconic scene, which reenacts the birth of Jesus Christ, finds its roots in the 13th century with St. Francis of Assisi. But who would have thought that a simple representation in a cave in Greccio, Italy, would leave such a lasting legacy?
In 1223, desiring to make the experience of the Christmas story more tangible and accessible, St. Francis sought permission from Pope Honorious III to set up a live nativity. His intention? To eschew the rising materialism of the time and bring focus back to the simple and divine nature of the Christmas story. By using real animals and a manger in a cave setting, he created a physical representation of the events of that holy night.