The History of the Nativity & Christmas

In 1223, in Greccio, Italy, Saint Francis of Assisi is accredited with creating the first Nativity Scene. We tend to think of commercialism and materialism as a modern disease, but in fact, Francis created that display to be a visual reminder of what Christmas was all about, and to counter what he felt was a growing emphasis on secular materialism and gift-giving. It was to be a day of celebration and worship of thanks to God for what he had inaugurated through the birth of the prophesied Messiah, Jesus.

When we think of a modern nativity scene, we think of a few elements as standard: Shepherds, Jesus in a wooden manger of straw, three kings, angels, and cattle and donkeys and sheep. In fact, the stable was more likely a cave or a small hand-dug dugout, a shelter for animals in cold weather or raids, and perhaps a place to store surplus grains or foodstuffs. The manger was a feeding trough, much like modern feeding troughs found on small farms. The shepherds “watching the flocks by night” tells us that it was likely in spring or summer in that region; the day we celebrate as Christmas was adopted throughout Western Europe in the fourth century. Imagine the scenario: Rome had called for a census of the entire region, turning everything on its head as everyone was required to travel to their ancestral homes, including businessmen like Joseph, and innkeepers as well. Hundreds of people descended en masse onto sleepy little villages unequipped with beds or food to cope with them all. Perhaps Joseph had tried at several places in Bethlehem; perhaps there was only one Bed & Breakfast in the entire village; turned away, they headed back to the stable to get their donkey, and uh, “Wait! The baby’s coming!”

The kings were actually Magi, likely a caste of scientists and astronomers, from the “east” – i.e. east of Israel, which could have made them Asian, Indian, Caucasian, or even African. There were not three, but rather three gifts: Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh. In reality, their number might have been more like a small army: They would not have travelled such a distance with the quantities of gifts fit not only for a king but representing their own importance, as well as the honour they wished to bestow on this new king, without protection! The Bible records that King Herod and all Jerusalem were disturbed by their presence and the reason for their journey (Matthew 2). The three gifts offered by the Magi were very symbolic: Gold was a symbol of kingship, the wealth of the earth. It is one of the only metals that, when heated, loses none of its nature, weight or colour, but allows impurities to surface. It is used to symbolize faith and the process of refinement. Frankincense represents priesthood and divinity. It was familiar to most people in the ancient world, used in religious ceremonies. Myrrh, unlike sweet Frankincense, is bitter. It was used as a resin in a spice mixture used to embalm the dead and was symbolic of Jesus’ purpose in coming: His death, burial and resurrection. It makes an appearance both at the beginning and the end of Jesus’ life on earth. It was used medicinally as a painkiller (often dissolved in wine) which is the reason Jesus refused to drink it on the cross (Mark 15:23). And note that the Magi did not show up at the manger in Bethlehem, but by the time they’d travelled that far and found Jesus, he was a child, and Mary and Joseph had set up house (Matthew 2:11).

ICHTHYS

Let’s address one more historical topic: Xmas. Many people think it’s a modern attempt to “X” Christ from Christmas; but in fact, it is just the opposite, historically-speaking. The X is the first letter of the Greek word Χριστός which comes into English translated as “Christ.” and such abbreviated references date back as far as the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, 1021. Even further back, ΙΧΘΥΣ (Ichthys) was an acronym meaning “Jesus Christ, God’s Son, Saviour” used by ancient Christians. It is often placed within the symbol of a fish, as Jesus called his disciples to become “fishers of men.” Ichthyology is the study of fish, reflecting the Greek connection for the use of the symbol.

Modern Nativity scenes represent a condensed version of a historical event (there is, after all, more historical evidence for Jesus’ birth, life, death and resurrection than many other events in history people accept as fact); so the next time you see one, think about the significance, the reason for its inception by St. Francis of Assisi in the first place, and the Reason for the season.

Merry Christmas! Or, Merry Xmas!