The Origins and Significance of the Christmas Crèche
TL;DR Summary
St. Francis of Assisi is often credited with inventing the Christmas crèche, but historical evidence suggests that the Jesuits were the first to set up a crèche in Prague in 1562. The crèche as we know it today, with the Holy Family, shepherds, and the Magi, came together about 500 years after the birth of Christ. While St. Francis' dramatic tableau at Greccio lacked human figures, it was in line with the tradition of liturgical plays. The Jesuits, known for their record-keeping, documented their crèche and may have created the false impression that St. Francis originated it.
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