Vatican City, Dec 8, 2017 / 08:55 am (CNA/EWTN News).- In an inauguration ceremony Thursday, the Vatican officially unveiled this year’s nativity scene in St. Peter’s Square, also lighting the 69-foot Christmas tree for the first time this year.
In an audience with the tree and nativity donors Dec. 7, Pope Francis reflected on the symbolism found in the two Christmas traditions, which he said are “signs of the compassion of the heavenly Father, of his participation and closeness to humanity” even in its “very difficulties.”
The branches of the tree, “reaching upward,” remind us to reach for “the highest gifts,” he explained. And in “the simplicity of the crib we meet and contemplate the tenderness of God” as manifested in the Child Jesus.
This year’s Vatican nativity scene was created by artisans in a local workshop and donated by an ancient Benedictine Abbey, the Sanctuary of Montevergine, which lies near Naples.
A special detail of this year’s scene: in one corner hangs a replica of the icon of Our Lady of Montevergine, a nod to the abbey which donated it. The original image, which is 12 feet tall, hangs in the chapel of the Sanctuary of Montevergine.
Outside of the traditional nativity figures of Mary, Joseph, the child Jesus, the Wise Men, shepherds, an angel, and animals, the other figures are represented in the act of performing the 7 Corporal Works of Mercy, such as burying the dead, visiting the imprisoned, and clothing the naked.
The approximately 6 1/5-foot-tall figures are made of colored terracotta and dressed in traditional eighteenth-century Neapolitan costumes. The whole scene is built on a platform about 861-square-feet in size.
In a change from past years, this one includes a technological element; visitors can connect to a special Wi-Fi access point in St. Peter’s Square and scan a QR code to watch a video to learn more about the nativity.
The Christmas tree is a northern European tradition which has only recently become more common in Italy. The tradition to have a tree in St. Peter’s Square was begun by St. John Paul II in 1982.
This year’s tree, which comes from Poland, is 69-feet tall and about 60 years old. Its tip was lost when it was struck by lightning several years ago.
It was donated by the Archdiocese of Elk and cut down by a local forestry service, which transported it by truck over more than 1200 miles in 12 days to reach Rome, traveling mostly by night, when traffic is less dense.
The ornaments which decorate the spruce were created by children with cancer and their parents from several hospitals in Italy, as well as by children from Italian zones affected by earthquakes the past two years.
The ornaments were created in clay by the children and then reproduced using synthetic materials which can stand up to the weather in St. Peter’s Square.
The nativity and tree will remain in St. Peter’s Square until Jan. 7, 2018, the feast of the Baptism of the Lord.
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An allegory of the coming of the Antichrist. They’re not being subtle anymore, are they?
The best way to obscure truth is often to simply emphasize the less important at the expense of the essential. Where is the Christ child? Where is the King of the Universe? Where is the Holy Family? Why is the star falling from the sky rather than guiding the Wise men? . . .and where is the outrage over the naked body builder waiting to be clothed? Why do the corporal works of mercy drown out the essential truth of our faith:namely, the Incarnation? Where have they hidden my Lord? This is a call for reparation.
The Lord be with you. The Holy Gospel according to Pope Francis.
I can even understand the artistic effort in taking the centrality of the adoration of the Lord Jesus in favor of human works of charity – isn’t it what the “modern” “church” is all about? Humanism took over and a Christless new religion is being born.
Time to take sides, folks. Are we going to serve God or our own bellies?
In a side note, however, I could not help but laugh at the naked in need to be clothed – six packs, a real Michelangelo figure in all its bodily glory – in nothing similar to the starving children in Africa, Haiti, or the lost homeless living in the streets of L.A.
Why are they changing the beautiful Manager Scene, christians always loved? Especially at the vatican, who are our Sheperds. I’m disappointed and sad about it.
Christmas is about JESUS’ birth first, not acts of mercy? It is a joyful, glorious time to celebrate our Precious, humble, Jesus’s birthday! JESUS is peace, love and hope.
Have mercy on us.
The two previous posts are spot on.
This manger scene is way too busy. Jesus is lost within the busyness of it all.
It is not beautiful and it is not peaceful. It is about man not the Savior.
Nevertheless,
Merry Christmas to all “men of good will” who understand the message of the birth of the Christ child.