In Hope of Peace the Vatican Lights its Christmas Tree and Reveals its Nativity which Honors the 800 Year Old Origin of the Creche by St Francis of Assisi - VIDEO

The nativity scene and the Christmas tree, symbols of peace and hope, were inaugurated in St. Peter's Square. In the afternoon, the inauguration of the nativity scene and the Christmas tree set up in the center of the Colonnade in the presence of the delegations from the places that donated them to the Pope. There was a strong call for peace in a time dramatically marked by war in the land of Jesus. Cardinal Vérgez Alzaga, president of the Governorate: "Today we are the shepherds called to announce Jesus to our brothers"

The nativity scene is inaugurated in the center of St. Peter's Square and the lights of the large Christmas tree are turned on to the admiration of those who wanted to be present this afternoon to be the first to enjoy an exciting show. and speak to the heart. The traditional ceremony is presided over by Cardinal Fernando Vérgez Alzaga, president of the Governorate of the Vatican City State. With him Sister Raffaella Petrini, general secretary of the Governorate, in the presence of the official delegations of the places of origin of the nativity scene and the tree, coming respectively from the Valle Santa Reatina in the diocese of Rieti, Lazio, and from Macra in the diocese of Saluzzo, Piedmont, who were received in audience by Pope Francis in the morning.

In particular, for the artistic nativity scene, the bishop of Rieti, Monsignor Vito Piccinonna, the two curators of the "La Valle del Primo Presepe" project and the nativity scene set up in the Paul VI Hall, Enrico Bressan and Giovanna Zabotti, participate among others, and the "Church of Rieti" choir band. The delegation for the Christmas tree, a white fir, includes, together with others, the bishop of Saluzzo, Monsignor Cristiano Bodo, the president of the Piedmont Region, Alberto Cirio, the mayor of Macra, Valerio Carsetti, and the "La Reis" choir of San Damiano Macra. The Band of the Gendarmerie Corps contributes to the ceremony by performing the Hymn of the Vatican City State, that of the Italian Republic and the final piece White Christmas.

Cardinal Fernando Vérgez Alzaga opened the ceremony. We celebrate, remember, a double anniversary: the 800 years since the first representation of the nativity in Greccio and the 800 years since the approval of the Rule of Saint Francis, for this reason he explains, a nativity scene that came from that land could not be missing, while the tree it shows all the beauty of nature and the richness of traditions of the territory from which it comes. The cardinal continues by saying that "tonight like the shepherds of Greccio, we are the protagonists of the nativity scene and like them we approach to admire the Child with amazement; we are the shepherds who set out on their journey and we are the shepherds called to announce Jesus to the our brothers." The presence of Saint Francis, he continues, invites us to reflect on the protection of our common home, just as the majestic fir tree decorated with 5000 edelweiss grown in the plains is testimony to respect for the environment. Once Christmas is over, this tree will not return to its forest, he says, but wood will be made from its wood to make toys to give to children. His wish is that this tree brings joy and that each of us can be a light for those around him.

The bishop of Rieti

The joy of the entire Diocese of Rieti for the possibility of offering this nativity scene precisely 800 years after the first nativity desired by Saint Francis is then expressed by the bishop, Monsignor Vito Piccinonna who speaks of a long-cultivated dream, that of bringing to attention of the world a nativity scene with a Franciscan imprint. "Our thoughts now - he states - cannot help but go to the places that saw the birth of the Redeemer and which today see destruction and thousands of deaths. If it is true that the Word of God by becoming flesh united himself with all creatures, this event reminds us of our responsibility towards every human being".

The life-size nativity characters are made of painted terracotta mounted on an iron structure draped with period clothing (1200). Bressan proudly recalls that, before last Wednesday's general audience, the Pope greeted the workers at work : 103 people collaborated in its creation. "Seeing the images of these days that arrive from the Holy Land - he says - we hope that this nativity scene will be a sign of peace and will be a catalyst for energies that can spread throughout that land".

After the lights of the nativity scene are turned on, it is time for the speeches of the Piedmont delegation from which the 27 meter high fir tree comes. The bishop of Saluzzo, Monsignor Cristiano Bodo, underlines the honor of having been able to donate the fir tree that will illuminate St. Peter's Square during the holidays. The tree tells the story of the uniquely beautiful environment from which it comes, rich in woods, greenery, paths marked by small votive chapels. "In this land, he says, essential, hard-working people were born and raised, linked to the territory, dedicated to the common good. The tree represents a small local Church but animated by the same spirit that animates the universal Church. The symbol of life remains here, he adds, to wish everyone a true Christmas, attracting the light and life of the world to Jesus, making him feel necessary to often joyless humanity. Monsignor Bodo recalls again that only with Jesus are care for life, smile and joy possible, universal brotherhood and peace.

The lighting of the Christmas tree

The president of the Piedmont Region points out that the fir tree is more than 50 years old and that it would have been cut down in any case for safety reasons and that the initiative to donate it to the Pope came from the community, today 48 people in total. "It will light up Christmas all over the world and this is a reason for pride and sharing for us because the toys that will be made and donated to children will be a sign of brotherhood", states Alberto Cirio, while the mayor of Macra, Valerio Carsetti, underlines the passage of the fir tree from the woods to St. Peter's Square as the result of an idea born 8 years ago: "Why don't we donate one of our trees to the Pope? And here we are today". The moment of enlightenment arrives and two children push the button that turns on the lights. 

The ceremony concludes with the speech of Sister Raffaella Petrini: "We are gathered around the nativity - she states - as Saint Francis and his friars were in Greccio. We are here with the same amazement, wonder and gratitude for the possibility of reliving the coming of Jesus in the world". Then the characters were living people and a priest had celebrated Mass on the manger to say that the newborn child is the Bread of salvation. "Every day - underlines the general secretary of the Governorate - the incarnation takes place through the Eucharist". The nativity scene is a tool for announcing the message of salvation, it presents our faith with simplicity. "I hope that its contemplation is a renewed impetus for Christian life in the simplicity of everyday life" and that the tree reminds us, he concludes, of Francis' love for creation and "that care for the environment is inseparable from care for the brothers".

The nativity scene and the tree in St. Peter's Square will remain on display until the end of the Christmas season, which coincides with the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, Sunday 7 January 2024.

Source: Vatian News Italian