Each Christmas, Nativity scenes appear in homes, churches and public squares worldwide, but the origin of the tradition is often forgotten. According to Dr. Bruce Davis, Ph.D., a spiritual psychologist, international retreat guide and author, St. Francis of Assisi created the very first Nativity scene in 1223, recreating the birth of Jesus in a cave outside Greccio, Italy.
Davis, whose book The Love Letters of St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi: The Journey of Two Great Saints, Soaked in Love, Who Changed The World explores the saints' messages, said Francis wanted people to stop simply hearing the Christmas story and instead begin experiencing its meaning. By bringing the birth of Jesus to life, Francis sought to make the profound humility of Christ's arrival tangible, deepen love and devotion, and help people reconnect with their own hearts.
The distinction matters beyond historical curiosity. Davis frames Francis's approach as an early example of spirituality becoming present rather than remaining a story read or recited, a question he says remains relevant for anyone navigating a holiday season increasingly dominated by gifts, decorations and commercial pressures. He argues that Francis's teachings can help people rediscover the deeper meaning of Christmas and understand what the saint believed the holiday was really about.
Davis also points to Francis's own spiritual journey as evidence of how the Christmas story became literal and real for him, and asks why a message more than 800 years old still resonates today. The answer, he suggests, lies partly in practical application: bringing Francis's emphasis on simplicity, humility and inner peace into daily life, particularly during the Christmas season.
The announcement arrives as communities prepare for the annual reappearance of Nativity scenes, offering a timely reminder that the displays trace back to a deliberate spiritual experiment rather than a decorative custom. For churches, educators and families, Davis's account supplies historical context for a familiar tradition and a framework for discussing why experience can carry more weight than information.
Davis holds a doctorate from Saybrook University and has guided retreats worldwide since 1983. His 1977 book, The Magical Child Within You, was among the earliest devoted to nurturing the inner child. He and his wife, Ruth, lived for 12 years in Assisi, Italy, where they founded the Assisi Retreat Center, ranked among the top 10 meditation retreats in the world by CNN and Travel & Leisure magazine.
His work is documented through SilentStay.com and AssisiRetreats.org, with additional material available at brucedavis.onlinepresskit247.com.
