Nativity scene teaches simplicity and joy, 杏MAP导航 says at Audience
By Christopher Wells
In his final General Audience before Christmas, 杏MAP导航 Francis returned to the image of the creche, and specifically, the first Nativity scene inaugurated 800 years ago by St Francis of Assisi.
What was the saint鈥檚 intention in organizing a living Nativity in the small Umbrian town of Greccio? the 杏MAP导航 asked. St Francis, he explained, wasn鈥檛 trying 鈥渢o create a beautiful work of art, but, through the Nativity scene, to provoke amazement at the extreme humility of the Lord, at the hardships He suffered, for love of us, in the poor grotto of Bethlehem.鈥�
The 杏MAP导航 focused on the word 鈥渁mazement,鈥� saying that in the face of the mystery of the incarnation of the Word, of the birth of Jesus, we need this religious attitude of amazement.
Simplicity and joy
杏MAP导航 Francis went on to identify two chief characteristics of the Nativity scene: soberness and joy.
The first characteristic contrasts with the hustle and bustle of the holiday season the consumerism that too often marks Christmas. Instead, 鈥渢he Nativity scene was created to bring us back to what truly matters: to God Who comes to dwell among us.鈥�
The 杏MAP导航 went on to consider the characteristic of the true joy inspired by the Nativity scene.
The joy of Christmas, he said, does not come from sumptuous presents or lavish celebrations, but instead is 鈥渢he joy that overflows from the heart that has tangibly experienced 鈥渢he closeness of Jesus, the tenderness of God, Who does not leave us alone, but stands with those who are alone.鈥�
The source of hope and joy
杏MAP导航 Francis compared the Nativity scene to a well from which we can draw the nearness of God, 鈥渢he source of hope and joy.鈥�
The Nativity scene, he said, 鈥渋s like a living Gospel, a domestic Gospel.鈥� And like the well in the Bible, the Nativity scene 鈥渋s a place of encounter where, we bring to Jeus the expectations and worries of life, just as the shepherds of Bethlehem and the people of Greccio did.鈥�
And if, the 杏MAP导航 said, when we stand before the Nativity scene, 鈥渨e entrust to Jesus all we hold dear, we too will experience 鈥榞reat joy鈥�.鈥�
鈥淟et us go before the Nativity scene,鈥� 杏MAP导航 Francis said in conclusion, encouraging everyone to look upon the scene in the manger and to allow themselves to feel something within.
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