St. Francis was first to make a living nativity. He recreated the seen and enhanced the biblical narrative adding farm animals nearby the holy family.
This early 14th century piece, by Giotto, depicts the newborn Jesus. Mary is placing the swaddled babe in the manger. She will sleep at his side under the protection of a roof structure. The shepherds watch from outside; they seem to still have eyes fixed on the angels overhead. Their fear is gone but their wonder remains. Joseph, so weary, sits at the bedside, apart from the protection of the roof. His eyelids droop but he stays awake, head on hand.
The sheep sit unaware and uncaring; an apparent obstinant goat turns his back. But the ox and ass know. They do not rest but instead wait and offer the manger to Mary for Jesus (through Mary to Jesus!). The manger is the source of their nourishment; it is where they eat. Jesus will sleep on the hay, their food.
They, the ox and ass know and seek him. Later those who would know and seek Jesus would be nourished spiritually by him in the eucharist.
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