St. Peter's Square hosts the Vatican Nativity Scene, which is central to the Christmas festivities. For Christmas 2023, the nativity includes painted terracotta statues to evoke the spirit of the first-ever manger scene by St. Francis of Assisi. This year marks the 800th anniversary of the nativity scene tradition started by the Franciscan priest.
Leading up to Christmas, Vatican City is the center for numerous Pre-Christmas Liturgical Events. The schedule includes celebratory events like the Advent sermons held in Paul VI Hall, setting the spiritual tone for the upcoming celebrations. These events culminate in the Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord, also known as Midnight Mass, presided over by Pope Francis.
On December 25, the Christmas Day Liturgies begin with Midnight Mass in St. Peter's Square or inside St. Peter's Basilica, depending on the weather. Following this is the Solemnity of the Epiphany on January 6, where the faithful commemorate the revelation of Jesus as the Son of God. Each of these liturgies features messages of hope and peace, resonating with the core values of the Christmas celebration.
The traditional Urbi et Orbi (“to the city and to the world”) message and blessing is a pivotal moment offered from the central loggia overlooking St. Peter’s Square. This blessing conveys wishes of peace and joy while also touching upon current global issues and emphasizing the need for unity and compassion in times of fear and pain.
The earliest record of the Christmas celebration dates back to 336 AD in Rome, marking the beginning of a long-standing tradition within the Christian faith. This pivotal event is a recognition of Jesus Christ's birth, commonly referred to as the Nativity of Our Lord. Over time, this celebration spread throughout the Christian world, with St. Francis of Assisi introducing the first live manger in Greccio, Italy, in 1223, to foster a direct experience of the Holy birth.
At the heart of the Nativity celebration is the theological significance of the birth of Jesus, whom Christians recognize as the Lord. This event symbolizes God's closeness to humanity, with the Virgin Mary's role as the mother of Jesus being central to the story. The Nativity encapsulates key theological concepts such as the incarnation, wherein the divine took human form, signaling the embodiment of hope and salvation for believers.
The Solemnity of the Nativity is both a liturgical highlight and a time for communal prayer and reflection. Many Christians around the world attend midnight Mass or services on Christmas Eve in honor of this solemnity. The Vatican's unveiling of the Nativity scene is a particularly significant custom, each year drawing on different historical or cultural aspects related to the Nativity story.
Artistic representations of Jesus' birth are at the heart of the Vatican's Christmas celebration. Frescoes in Italy often portray the holy family, with Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus, surrounded by shepherds and angels. These works of art, found in Franciscan shrines and other historical churches, serve as cultural testaments to the religious narrative. The Neapolitans are particularly famous for their intricate Nativity scenes, which can include detailed ornaments and characters dressed in traditional clothes.
The Vatican Nativity scene is a tableau that combines various elements to recreate the scene of Jesus' birth in Bethlehem. Typically, this composition includes figures of the Holy Family, with an ox and donkey symbolically placed within the setting. Italian influences are seen in the use of glass Venetian tiles and the scenic backdrop that may include the Italian Alps. Edelweiss flowers and the silver fir tree are sometimes added to enhance the authenticity of the landscape, and macra, intricate lace, is used to adorn the figures.
Within the celebration, certain symbols carry ceremonial importance. The angel, often placed at a high point of the Nativity scene, represents the divine announcement of Jesus' birth. Live animals, such as oxen and donkeys, accompany the Holy Family, reflecting their presence in the Biblical narrative. Children and family play a central role during the festivities, symbolizing the importance of community and succession of tradition. Shepherds serve as the symbol of humility and the first witnesses to the holy event.