Dr. Bruce Davis, author and expert on Franciscan spirituality, shares history of beloved tradition



MONTECITO, CA, November 09, 2026 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Every Christmas, Nativity scenes appear in homes, churches, and public spaces around the world. Who started this beloved tradition, and what did he hope people would experience through it?

"St. Francis of Assisi, one of history's most beloved saints, created the very first Nativity scene in 1223," says Dr. Bruce Davis, Ph.D. — spiritual psychologist, international retreat guide, and author of "The Love Letters of St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi: The Journey of Two Great Saints, Soaked in Love, Who Changed The World."

"St. Francis wanted people to stop simply hearing the Christmas story, and instead, to start experiencing its meaning," Dr. Davis says. "By recreating the birth of Jesus in a cave outside Greccio, Italy, he sought to make the profound humility of Christ's arrival tangible, deepen their love and devotion to Him, and ultimately, help them reconnect with their own hearts."

Dr. Davis is available to discuss:

1. What moved St. Francis to create the first live Nativity scene in Greccio in 1223? What was he hoping people would experience or understand by bringing the story of Jesus's birth to life?

2. Why did St. Francis believe there was something transformative about experiencing the story of Christ's birth rather than simply hearing or reading about it? What does Francis teach us today about spirituality becoming so present, much more than just a story?

3. Beyond the gifts, decorations, and celebrations, what did St. Francis believe Christmas was really about? How might his teachings help us rediscover the deeper meaning of the holiday amid today's commercialism?

4. How did St. Francis's own spiritual journey change the way he understood and experienced Christ? How did the journey of Christ become so real and literal for Francis?

5. Why does St. Francis's message still resonate more than 800 years later? What are some practical ways we can bring his teachings into our own lives, particularly during the Christmas season?

About Dr. Bruce Davis:

Bruce Davis, Ph.D., is a spiritual psychologist, international retreat guide, and author whose work explores the intersection of psychology and spirituality. He holds a doctorate from Saybrook University and has guided retreats worldwide since 1983. His 1977 book, "The Magical Child Within You," was one of the earliest books devoted to nurturing the inner child. Bruce and his wife, Ruth, later lived for 12 years in Assisi, Italy, where they founded the Assisi Retreat Center, ranked among the top 10 meditation retreats in the world by CNN and Travel & Leisure magazine. His book, "The Love Letters of St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi," explores the saints' enduring messages of love, simplicity, and inner peace. Learn more at SilentStay.com and AssisiRetreats.org.

For media inquiries, interview requests, or review copies, contact publicist Klaudia Simon at [email protected]. For more information visit brucedavis.onlinepresskit247.com.

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