Christmas carols and nativity scenes are customs that contribute to creating a festive atmosphere in families, streets and cities; in order to delve into the true meaning of Christmas.
Why these traditions that remain through the years were created?
The aim of bringing the Good News to villagers and peasants who could not read was the first carol date back to the 5th century.
First, they were called ‘villanus’, a word derived from ‘villager’, a name that over time changed to ‘villancicos’.
These popular songs tell the mystery of the Incarnation, inspired by theology and the liturgy of Christmas.
They are characterized by the sensitive and simple tone of their lyrics and melodies, which refer to the feelings of the Virgin and the shepherds before the incarnation of the Son of God: the Child Jesus.
Singing Christmas carols is a way of showing joy and gratitude to Christ. Listening to them helps prepare the heart for Christmas.
Later, in the 13th century, Saint Francis of Assisi and his disciples spread the practice of “nativity scenes” in temples and houses. In this way, at Christmas 1223 the saint made a living representation of the Birth of Jesus.
For this, he prepared a stable and invited the people of the town to make a real representation with a manger and real animals.
He called this activity ‘crèche’, which means ‘cradle’ in French, and it was seen by men, women and children who came to see the beautiful work with their burning torches.
The idea was very popular and performances began throughout Italy.
In the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, in Naples, the first figures representing the birth of the Child God were made. Later, with the arrival in America of the first missionaries, these traditions spread even more.
The living or material nativity scenes invite us to reflect on the poverty of the Holy Family, which calls the faithful to imitate it in authentic evangelical simplicity, renouncing material attachments.
In Christian houses, a special corner is still chosen to locate the manger, leaving a space between Joseph and Mary to place the Child God on December 25, generally at 12.00 AM.