Neumann University will celebrate its annual Greccio/Live Nativity on Sunday, December 8 at 6:15 pm on the lawn of the Mirenda Center for Sport, Spirituality and Character Development on Convent Road.

Neumann students, faculty and staff will re-enact the Franciscan tradition of the crib, first celebrated in Greccio, Italy, performing the Live Nativity scene and the scripture narration. In addition, the program will also feature the sounds of sacred Christmas music, performed by the Holy Family Regional School Children’s Choir.

Prior to the program, Neumann extends an invitation to celebrate the Eucharistic Liturgy at 4:30 pm in the Sacred Heart Chapel in Bachmann Main Building.  Beginning at 5:30 pm and lasting until 7:30 pm, manger animals will be on site and available to pet.  After the Nativity program, all are welcome to meet Santa and enjoy refreshments and Christmas music inside the Mirenda Center.

In 1223, St. Francis created the first live Nativity scene in Greccio, Italy.  He, himself, had recently been inspired by his visit to the Holy Land, where he'd been shown Jesus's traditional birthplace.  This ritual has been celebrated ever since that year, in Greccio and around the world.