Nativity scenes are ‘a simple and eloquent way’ to rediscover Christmas

Nativity scenes are ‘a simple and eloquent way’ to rediscover Christmas

LINDA REEVES | FC
Shepherds and sheep are part the Nativity scene at Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish in Delray Beach. Many of the detailed pieces are from Italy.

LINDA REEVES | FLORIDA CATHOLIC STAFF

Posted: 12.24.09

DELRAY BEACH | One priest’s handiwork here is helping people rediscover the true meaning of Christmas and the most important birth in the history of the world in a way Pope Benedict XVI has encouraged.

“Christmas is so important,” said Father Hector Sartori, a priest of the Missionaries of St. Charles — Scalabrinians — for more than 50 years, who is a parochial vicar at Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish.

“As a Christian, we believe it is the beginning of the mystery of life,” he said. “God became one of us. Without Christmas, we do not have resurrection.”

Father Sartori set up a giant-size Nativity or crèche, a depiction of the birth of Christ. The handmade Nativity sitting up on a platform and stretching across the entire northwest corner of Our Lady Queen of Peace Church may be the largest Nativity display in any of the churches and missions in the Diocese of Palm Beach.

Father Sartori explained that when he came to the parish, located in the agricultural areas of western Delray Beach, more than six years ago there were no Nativity pieces to display. Former parish administrator Scalabrinian Father Matthew Didone purchased some figurines from Italy and Father Sartori volunteered to build a display from scratch, using lumber, nails, paint, creativity and handyman skills.

“I enjoy it,” said Father Sartori about his Christmas scene, which he changes every year by adding new figurines or by modifying scenery. “I think people enjoy it.”

Traditionally, Nativity scenes popular around the world are put out Dec. 8, the feast of the Immaculate Conception. This is the holy day when Catholics honor the Virgin Mary, celebrate her freedom from sin and respect the fact that she is the chosen mother of Christ.

Construction began on the Our Lady Queen of Peace Nativity the first week of Advent. It was complete and enjoyed by all attending Mass on the feast day.

“It is an incredible Nativity scene,” said parishioner Terri Petricca. “It takes him about a week and he does it almost entirely by himself. He’s a perfectionist. I know from working with him.”

This year, Father Sartori said there are some missing animals, which were accidently broken in the transportation and construction. But the backdrop is covered with tiny twinkling stars in a baby-blue sky. There are shepherds and a big flock of sheep. There are Wise Men and a camel. The centerpiece is a large manger, and small statues of people are scattered here and there. There are elements in the background that appear three-dimensional, a fire that appears to be actually burning, and fresh evergreens and pieces of palm trees that provide special touches.

“The Baby Jesus isn’t added until later,” said the priest who follows the tradition of many who do not add the Christ Child until Christmas Eve.

Parishioner Antonio Gutierrez is a project volunteer.

“This is my fourth year to help,” he said. “It is a pleasure to see the children enjoy it.”

Churches throughout the diocese and the world are displaying a crèche and giving faithful an opportunity to visually experience the Savior’s coming.

Assisi, Italy, south of Schio, where Father Sartori was born and raised with eight siblings, is credited with the first Nativity scenes back in 1223. The beloved St. Francis of Assisi, who started the Franciscan order in 1221 and is known for his love of animals and the poor, is credited with the creation of the devotion, which spread and became popular in churches and monasteries.

“I used to take my three children to see the Nativities displayed in Assisi,” said Bennet Bolton, a parishioner of St. Edward in Palm Beach, who lived in Rome as a young man with his wife and children, and worked as a reporter for the Associated Press.

“The first time I went to Assisi, it blew me away,” said Bolton. “It was beautiful. There are crèches all over Italy, but the mother lode is in Assisi.”

In the 16th century, Nativity scenes became popular in homes.

This year, Ana Daza-Jaller has two Nativity scenes displayed at her Wellington home. One is inside, and a large display is featured outside.

“It is a beautiful tradition,” said the St. Rita parishioner, who works in the diocesan permanent diaconate formation office. “I remember having a Nativity all my life,” she said about her childhood memories growing up in Colombia.

Traditionally, the Vatican displays a large Nativity scene in St. Peter’s Square. In 2008, it was unveiled on Christmas Eve a week after the Holy Father dedicated his talk at the last general audience of the year to the importance and meaning of the Advent and Christmas season.

He talked about the economic crisis and how it could help people rediscover the true meaning of Christmas by focusing on Christ, simplicity, friendship and solidarity rather than materialism.

“In the Christ Child, God humbly knocks on people’s doors to offer meaning in their life and the free gift of salvation. God manifested himself as a poor, humble infant in order to conquer human pride and sin,” he said.

Pope Benedict concluded by encouraging people to create a Nativity scene in their homes, saying the tradition is “a simple and eloquent way to remember Jesus.”

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