Nativity scene a source of tradition, catechesis, for local Catholic family

By Ambria Hammel, The Catholic Sun
December 21, 2006

While many Catholic families display a nativity scene each Christmas, fewer move it beyond decoration and use it as a catechetical tool.

For the entire 40-plus years of their marriage, St. Joseph parishioners Frank and Josephine Ligammari have been purposely making subtle changes to their nativity set to do just that. The changes keep the message of the Incarnation more in the forefront of each family member’s mind, especially their grandchildren.

“I figure that gets them to look at it closer and to appreciate what the meaning of it is,” Josephine said.

She described last year’s humble nativity scene — the couple was too ill to make it more elaborate — which featured things families have come to expect: Joseph, Mary, the wise men, a shepherd with his scattered sheep and angels watching overhead.

The nativity filled the corner table of the living room as it does every year. Frank and Josephine placed a light shining on Mary and Joseph, but a third person surprisingly appeared.

“The way it projected on the wall, it looked like Jesus,” she said.

Visiting friends and family members agreed and could use the Ligammaris’ nativity as a reminder that Jesus is God incarnate, born both fully man like Joseph and without sin like Mary.

The homemade inn sitting near the stable where Jesus was born marks one of several additions for the grandkids to discover this year. Frank built it and Josephine decorated the inside to make it look occupied because, as it goes, there was no room at the inn.

Another change included the fire’s location. Frank’s craftsmanship resulted in a bonfire near the Holy Family. Now, it’s slightly farther away and welcomed by the wise men who warm themselves over it.

“It gets cold during the night,” Frank said, calling to mind his grasp of the Gospel.

The Ligammaris typically wait till Christmas Eve to place Jesus in the manger to keep with tradition. They keep the nativity up until Jan. 6.

“That’s when the kings usually get there, but they came early this year,” Josephine said.

They also enter opposite the shepherd, not just “stage left,” like last year. This change could get Frank and Jo’s grandchildren to think about the long and possibly difficult journey many took to see the newborn king.

Josephine convinced Frank to let it snow on the nativity scene for the first time this year. She also debuted a drum at the feet of the shepherd who is looking down at the instrument that briefly serenaded the baby Jesus in the popular song.

“Next year I’m going to try to build more of the buildings (in Bethlehem),” Frank said, an inspiration that came from “The Nativity” film, and “increase the mountains a bit.”