Carbajo-Núñez Martín ,
Christmas at Greccio (1223-2023) (20),
in
Blog dell'Accademia Alfonsiana, 20 (2023) p. 3
.
(Online: Blog Acc. Alfonsiana)
This year we are celebrating the eighth centenary of the living nativity scene that Francis of Assisi held at Greccio (Italy), in 1223 . It is generally considered that this event gave rise to “the enchanting image of the Christmas crèche” and to the “intense spiritual atmosphere that surrounds Christmas.”
Sadly, today we have turned Christmas into an excuse for consumerism. Between lights, shopping, and gifts we are losing the ability to contemplate the humility and poverty of the Child Jesus, who calls us to follow in his footsteps by faithfully observing the Gospel.
Pope Francis invites us to “encourage” in our society the enchanting tradition “of the Christmas crèche.” He recognizes that it originated in the living nativity scene of Saint Francis in Greccio.
Key words: Christmas, Greccio, Francis of Assisi, Crèche, Synodality
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