The very first Nativity was created by Saint Francis of Assisi. He was inspired to recreate the birth of the baby Jesus after visiting the grotto where Jesus was born in the Holy Land.
From that first simple and humble display in an Italian cave, Francis’s Nativity is now a symbol of Christmas and we're sure you couldn’t imagine Christmas without the Nativity scene in your home or in your local church.
Francis was moved by the poverty and humility of the birth of our Lord and the Nativity was his way of reminding us of the true meaning of Christmas, that love in its simplest and purest form is the greatest gift any of us can give or receive.
May the light of God’s love brighten your Christmas and live forever in your heart.
Merry Christmas by fr. Mario Conte, Executive Editor of the «Messenger of Saint Anthony» magazine, and all the franciscan friars of Saint Anthony Basilica in Padua, Italy.