Every Christmas, Nativity scenes appear in homes, churches, and public spaces around the world. But who started this beloved tradition, and what did he hope people would experience through it? According to Dr. Bruce Davis, Ph.D., a spiritual psychologist, international retreat guide, and author, the answer lies with St. Francis of Assisi, who created the very first Nativity scene in 1223.
In his 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, Davis explores the enduring messages of the saints. He explains that St. Francis wanted people to stop simply hearing the Christmas story and instead start experiencing its meaning. By recreating the birth of Jesus in a cave outside Greccio, Italy, Francis sought to make the profound humility of Christ's arrival tangible, deepen love and devotion, and ultimately help people reconnect with their own hearts.
Davis is available to discuss several aspects of this history, including what moved St. Francis to create the first live Nativity scene and why he believed there was something transformative about experiencing the story of Christ's birth rather than simply hearing or reading about it. The topic has particular relevance today, as many people seek to rediscover the deeper meaning of the holiday amid commercialism. Davis also addresses how St. Francis's own spiritual journey changed the way he understood Christ, and why his message still resonates more than 800 years later. He offers practical ways to bring Francis's teachings into daily life, particularly during the Christmas season.
Davis's work explores the intersection of psychology and spirituality. He holds a doctorate from Saybrook University and has guided retreats worldwide since 1983. His 1977 book, The Magical Child Within You, was one of the earliest books devoted to nurturing the inner child. Bruce and his wife, Ruth, later 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. Those interested in learning more can visit SilentStay.com and AssisiRetreats.org.
The story of St. Francis and the first Nativity scene matters because it offers a counterpoint to the commercialization of Christmas. As Davis notes, Francis's creation was not about decorations or gifts but about making the Christmas story so present that it could transform the heart. In a season often dominated by consumerism, Francis's example invites people to slow down and reconnect with the spiritual core of the holiday. For businesses, the insight is equally relevant: the most enduring traditions are those that create genuine emotional experiences, not just transactions. As Davis's work shows, the message of St. Francis continues to offer a path toward simplicity, inner peace, and a deeper experience of the Christmas story.
