Pope: Vatican Creche reminds us of tragedy in Holy Land

By Lisa Zengarini

Pope Francis on Saturday received in audience two delegations from the Municipality of Macra, in the Piedmont Region, and the central Italian Diocese of Rieti, that have gifted this year's Christmas tree and the Nativity Scene to be inaugurated later this afternoon in St. Peter’s Square.

The creche pays tribute to the first Nativity Scene set up by St. Francis of Assisi in the hamlet of Greccio 800 years ago, in 1223.

In that year the “Poor Man of Assisi" stopped in the village located in the Reatine Valley, shortly after a journey to the Holy Land, and was inspired to reproduce the Nativity of Jesus thereby its resemblance with Bethlehem.

The historical connection between Greccio and Bethlehem

Addressing the Italian delegations in the Paul VI Hall, Pope Francis noted that this historical connection between the two sites is particularly meaningful at this time, as we witness the tragic war unfolding in the Land where Jesus was born.

“While we contemplate Jesus, God made man, small, poor, and defenceless, we cannot help but think of the tragedy that the inhabitants of the Holy Land are experiencing, showing to these brothers and sisters of ours, especially to children and their parents, our closeness and our spiritual support, ” the Pope said. “These are the ones who pay the real price of the war.”

Prayer and silence

Pope Francis went on to note that contemplating every nativity scene, including the creches in our homes, should awaken in us sentiments of nostalgia for silence and prayer, in “our often hectic life.”

Silence, he said, allows us to “listen to what Jesus tells us from that unique ‘chair’ which is the manger.”  

Prayer, on the other hand, enables us “to express the grateful wonder, the tenderness, perhaps the tears that the Nativity scene arouses in us.” In this, the Pope remarked, Mary is our model: “She says nothing, but contemplates and adores.”

Concluding, Pope Francis commented on the Christmas tree standing by the Nativity Scene in St. Peter's Square, a 28-meter spruce from the upper Maira Valley, near Turin. 

Gestures for environment are sign of respect for God's Creation

The fir tree had to be felled because it was at risk of collapse and after the festivities, its wood will be used to make toys for children in need. The tree is decorated with lights and live edelweiss flowers cultivated at a nursery to protect wild edelweiss growing in the mountains (picking or transplanting wild edelweiss is against the law in Italy).

Pope Francis commended this choice, saying: “Small gestures are essential in ecological conversion: they are gestures of respect and gratitude for God's gifts.”

The inauguration ceremony

The unveiling of the creche and lighting of the Christmas tree in St. Peter’s Square is scheduled for 5 p.m Rome time.  The ceremony will be presided over by Cardinal Fernando Vérgez Alzaga, president of the Governorate of the Vatican City State.

They will remain in the square through the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, on January 7, 2024.