The True Meaning of Christmas

By Janice K. Jarosz

The first nativity scene appeared in Italy in the Christian Roman catacomb of St. Valentine dating about 380 AD. A sculptural rendition is attributed to Saint Francis of Assisi enacted at Christmas 1223 in a cave near the Sanctuary of Greccio, in a very small chapel where it is said to have taken place, and it survives to this day.

In the late 80s, the Saugus Kasabuski Board of Directors donated a beautiful Nativity Scene to the Town, and officials placed it on display on the front left-hand side of the Saugus Town Hall lawn. A few years later, the powers that be decided that the Nativity Scene was not appropriate on town property, and it was taken down, destroyed and the remains put in a dumpster. It was also around that time many of us learned that reciting “Merry Christmas” was also not appropriate. We were now obligated to use Season’s Greetings or Happy Holidays, as a salutation or greeting as the word “Christmas” was removed from Christmas cards, signs and other Christmas memories.

At a chance meeting during a funeral collation, I was introduced to the Saugus Assembly of God’s Pastor, Wayne Shirk. As we talked, the issue of the forgotten Nativity Scene, once a popular display of Christian faith throughout the country, came up. This chance meeting was the beginning in the effort to recreate the first live Nativity Manger Scene in Saugus and, little did we know at that time, how this re-creation plan might be received.

As we began promoting this idea, MEG board members, volunteers from the Assembly of God who agreed be the cast in the roles of the Holy Family, friends and families also offered their support, joining us in re-creating the Holy Family scene in welcoming Baby Jesus. Within several weeks before the Christmas holiday, the Nativity Scene was brought to “life” and stood on the front lawn of the MEG building for four very cold evenings – sometimes enduring temperatures no higher than 28 degrees!

Motorists driving by tooted their horns and waved their hands; others stopped to kneel at the Scene; some took photos, while others joined the Church Chorus on the second floor of the MEG to sing Christmas carols. Many of those visiting the Manger were from different faiths and beliefs, but all came together during those cold nights in honoring our Christian faith.

From the first Nativity Scene in a Christian Roman catacomb to today, the popularity of Holy Family Nativity Scene has spread throughout the world and is now revered in many churches and homes. Today we can say “Merry Christmas” freely without being scorned, practice our faith without being afraid and gather together with family and friends in celebrating joy and gratitude throughout the blessed Christmas season.