The Christmas crib

The cherished tradition of the Christmas crib and the Nativity scene was begun by Saint Francis of Assisi. On Christmas Eve in 1223, Saint Francis longed to see, with his own eyes, how Jesus came to Bethlehem, that he arranged to have the scene recreated in a cave at Greccio, using live people and animals. During the solemnities of the Mass being offered there, a little child was seen lying in the manger.

From that celebration began the custom of the Christmas crib or crèche. The manger helps us to contemplate the love of God who came as a little Baby and revealed Himself in the simplicity of the Bethlehem cave. Saint Francis of Assisi was so overwhelmed by the mystery of the Incarnation that he wanted to present it again in Greccio with the living manger, which led to our tradition today.

The crib helps us understand the secret of the true Christmas because it speaks of humility, poverty and the merciful goodness of Christ,

Though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor.  2 Corinthians 8:9

Christmas brings joy and peace to those who accept the words of the angel, as the shepherds did:

And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.  Luke 2:12

Place your Nativity scene under your Christmas tree as a visible reminder of that Holy Night when our Savior was born. May we see the Holy Family, Mary and Joseph and the little Babe of Bethlehem, who came to save us from sin. May we remember that the wood of the manger that held Him so securely would one day give way to the wood of the Cross. May we too embrace Jesus with all of our love as Saint Francis did.

Jesus, Mary and Joseph, pray for us and all the names we receive through this ministry.