The First Christmas Crèche

It was the heart of night as the townsfolk made their way up the steep, winding, hillside path of Mount Sabini in central Italy. Their handheld torches and candles lit the way below as the sounds of footsteps crunched the slightly frozen earth and their voices sang out the melodies of joyful hymns. Above, the stars, peeking through the oak treetops, watched the progression of their journey. It was not a pilgrimage in the traditional sense as they were only walking a mile from their simple, stone-built town of Greccio, but on this Christmas Eve in the year 1223 the spirit of their destination was unknown.

Francis of Assisi had extended an invitation for a special midnight mass up in the hills instead of the usual place inside their warm, protected chapel. When they had heard Francis had asked a local nobleman, John of Velita, for an ox and an ass, the peasants’ curiosity was further piqued. Now cresting the small ridge, they finally arrived at a torch lit, transformed cave. Straw was scattered across the ground and both animals were lying in it peacefully. In the center was a large rock which tonight was elevated to the symbolic position of a crib for a king. It also held straw. The townsfolk gathered closer for warmth and to hear one of the friars began to celebrate the Mass. Soon Francis followed with the sermon.

Recalling a trip he had made earlier in his life, Francis went on to explain that they were to be both witnesses and participants to the event he had recreated, the atmosphere of the Christ’s birth in the stable of Bethlehem over 1200 years before. Here in Greccio, on this evening, he shared with these people the sacred scene from when God humbled himself, became human, and entered the world as a small babe. When the Mass was over the people remained and after praying, they asked for some of the straw. It was later learned that this straw had a healing effect on sick animals who ate it and for women who were having difficulties in labor, deliver healthy babies.

Today the town of Greccio is a sister city to Bethlehem and the Christmas Eve Mass that St. Francis created continues to this day. Modern day Nativity scenes were birthed from this night and the credit is given to St. Francis. What began as one man’s idea to share the simple yet profound birth of Christ with a small group of peasants now reverberates across the world.

To visit Greccio today, one will not only see the original cave where St. Francis held this special event, but also in another nearby building, there are displays of hundreds of Nativity scenes from around the world. Some are simple and others more elaborate, but combined with the cultural customs of their creators, each Nativity Scene shares the story and essence of what St. Francis created almost 800 years ago.

Rho Densmore

SWCBC

Advent Calendar #12

Spend the day thinking of what you could eat to make you happy. And make sure you can have it handy to eat in 3 days. Cris

Loving is more of the essence of friendship than being loved. Aristotle