MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL

The story of how St. Francis of Assisi "invented" the crib is so delightful and inWe all know the story of how Blessed Francis “invented” the crib:

             Blessed Francis called a friend about two weeks before Christmas and told him to prepare the things he would tell him in order to celebrate Christmas at Francis said that he wanted to honor the memory of the Infant Who was born at Bethlehem.  He mentioned how He was deprived of all the comforts babies enjoy; how He lay on hay in a manger between an ass and an ox. The friend prepared all that Francis had asked.

            On that the Franciscans came from many communities. There were candles and torches to brighten the night. Finally Francis arrived, found everything prepared, saw it and was glad. The Saint stood before the crib, overcome with emotion and joy. A solemn Mass was sung at the crib.

              The Saint was dressed in deacon's vestments. He sang the Gospel. Afterwards, he preached a stirring sermon which delighted all present.

spiring that it might be told or read to the children every year. We give here the account in the very words of Brother Thomas de Celano, who was there when it happened and who wrote it down:

             Blessed Francis called a friend about two weeks before Christmas and said to him: 'If you desire that we should celebrate this year's Christmas together at Greccio, go quickly and prepare what I tell you; for I want to enact the memory of the Infant Who was born at Bethlehem, and how He was deprived of all the comforts babies enjoy; how He was bedded in a manger on hay, between an ass and an ox. For once I want to see all this with my own eyes.' When the good and faithful man had heard this, he departed quickly and prepared in the above-mentioned place everything that the Saint had told him.

            The joyful day approached. The Franciscans were called from many communities. The men and women of the neighborhood, as best they could, prepared candles and torches to brighten the night. Finally the Saint of God arrived, found everything prepared, saw it and rejoiced. The crib was made ready, hay was brought, the ox and ass were led to the spot and Greccio became a new Bethlehem. The night was radiant with joy. The crowds drew near and rejoiced in the novelty of the celebration. Their voices resounded from the woods, and the rocky cliff echoed the jubilant outburst. As they sang in the praise of God, the whole night rang with exultation. The Saint of God stood before the crib, overcome with devotion and wondrous joy. A solemn Mass was sung at the crib.

              The Saint dressed in deacon's vestments, for a deacon he was [out of humility, St. Francis never became a priest, remaining a deacon all his life]. He sang the Gospel. Then he preached a delightful sermon to the people who stood around him, speaking about the nativity of the poor King and the humble town of Bethlehem.