Nativity Scenes continue to be handmade treasures of divine inspiration of a treasured holy family. Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity are blessed to pray before the San Xavier Del Bac Mission Creche in Tucson, Arizona. In 1982 Franciscan Friar Father Celestine Chin and Jane Harrison Ivancovich, a long-time mission benefactress, invited San Xavier villager Tom Franco to create a Nativity Scene from desert materials. The finished work consists of eleven hand-carved pieces. The set has a ramada or “wah-toe,: three sheep, one shepherd, an angel playing a flute, a village dog, a clay pot or “olla” and the Holy Family. The figures are hand-painted and have human hair and clothing of cloth. Some of the figures have movable arms, and the dog actually has a red tongue. Most of the statues are less than a foot in height, since the artist used sauaro cactus ribs that measured about one foot in length. Yucca and mesquite, real wool was glued on the mesquite-fashioned sheep. Glue, string and paint were the only store-bought materials.
The artist depicts native cultural scenes in saguaro fruit gathering, cooking at an outdoor oven, ploughing a field, drawing water from a well and carrying “ollas” in a burden-basket. Some of the figures carry miniature baskets made by the San Xavier basket weavers from cat’s claw or yucca. Believe it or not, the wood selected sometimes carries tiny wood-eating bugs. A home-made cure to stop infestations was passed on to ensure the work of art would endure years of humble devotion. The concoction included a little gasoline mixed with used crank oil, applied with an eye-dropper to the affected spot. If that remedy doesn’t work, others have found success in a “smoke out” near an outdoor campfire.
Why come to visit this Nativity? Many visitors stand in line to pull on the string that gently swings the cradle-hammock where the tiny figure of Jesus lies. Young and old alike take their turns at being able to pray with a humble family of long ago and asking intercession from the Holy Family for all concerns.
Thomas Franco, the fourth child of Domingo and Chepa Franco, was born at the San Xavier Village in 1929. His parents were both consummate artists. Tom also studied under Ted de Grazia. His works are never mass produced. Each production is unique. This set is the largest creation he has ever carved. His prayer was that one of his grandchildren would take an interest in art and The O’odham Himadog, the O’odham way. May the Lord bless all our families this Christmas Season.
Article Comments:
Sister Carla Riach 12/29/2025 @ 7:08 pm
Sister Julie Ann, thank you for sharing this treasure at San Xavier Mission. I reflects so well the simple way of life of the
Tohono O’odham ,
When I lived in Topawa village I saw a young couple’s baby in a sling hanging over their bed. The parents had a string attached to it so they could swing the baby gently in the night. I also saw a swing like this in a vato by the house. The grandmother was makng tortillas on the outdoor grill and had the baby in the swing. She would pull the string to rock the baby when she fussed. That made the Nativity scene here more meaningful to me.