Pope visits place of first
Nativity Scene, in Italian town of Greccio
Pope Francis makes a brief visit to the Italian town of
Greccio on Sunday, to sign his Apostolic Letter “Admirabile signum” on
importance of the Christmas crèche.
By Devin Watkins
During his brief trip to Greccio on Sunday afternoon, Pope
Francis paused to pray at the site where Saint Francis of Assisi created the
first nativity scene.
The small grotto resembles the tiny cave of Bethlehem where
the Virgin Mary gave birth to Jesus.
Frescoes from the 14th century adorn the
cave’s walls, depicting Mary breastfeeding the Christ Child and Saint Francis
kneeling in adoration.
There the Pope signed his Apostolic Letter Admirabile signum, a
reflection on the meaning of the nativity scene.
Simplicity of silence and prayer
Pope Francis then spoke to the faithful gathered in the
Shrine of the Holy Valley.
“How many thoughts crowd the mind in this holy place!” he
exclaimed.
But, he noted, the rocks where Saint Francis found
inspiration for the first manger scene are an invitation to “rediscover
simplicity.”
“There is no need for many words here, because the scene
before our eyes expresses the wisdom we need in order to grasp what is
essential,” he said.
The crib reminds us to find moments of silence and prayer in
the midst of our hectic lives.
“Silence, to contemplate the beauty of the face of the Child
Jesus, the Son of God born in the poverty of a stable,” he said. “Prayer, to
express our amazed "thank you" at this immense gift of love we have
been given.”
Enchanting image
Pope Francis called the nativity scene a “simple and
enchanting image” that manifests the great mystery of our faith: “God loves us
to the point of sharing our humanity and our lives. He never leaves us alone.”
Let us be like the shepherds of Bethlehem, said the Pope,
and accept the invitation to “go to the cave, to see and recognize the sign
that God has given us.”
This, he said, will fill our hearts with joy and allow us to
take that joy wherever there is sadness.
Light up the night
In conclusion, Pope Francis said we should look to the Child
Jesus and identify ourselves with Mary who, with her husband Joseph, placed her
Son in a manger because there was no room in a house.
“May His smile that lights up the night, dispel
indifference, and open hearts to the joy of those who feel loved by our
Heavenly Father.”
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