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Many traditions surround the long history of nativity scenes, but Christ always is at the center of these beloved displays. Here are a few facts you may not have known.
? The creation of the first nativity scene is credited to St. Francis of Assisi. In 1223, St. Francis, while visiting Grecio, Italy, created an outdoor scene recreating the nativity for Christmas Midnight Mass. In a cave, he set up a manger, then surrounded it with hay and brought an ox and a donkey to complete the scene.
? In 1280, Arnolfo di Cambio constructed the first inanimate creche. Some of the wooden statues still are ...