To celebrate the birth of Jesus, St Francis of Assisi decided to make it 'real' for his people and his friars who lived in the hills around the hermitage at Greccio. "I wish to recall to memory the little child who was born in Bethlehem, I want to set before our bodily eyes the hardship of his infant needs, how he lay in the manger, how with an ox and ass standing by he lay upon the hay."
With his friends he succeeded in re-creating the first crib scene in a cave surrounded by candles. The villagers and friars were completely overwhelmed as they celebrated the Christmas mass at which St Francis preached, bringing the Christmas story to life in a very special way.
After the death of St Francis, the custom of having a crib spread throughout Europe. The crib in the house also became popular by the 17th century owing much of its popularity to the enthusiasm of the Franciscans. In England, the symbol of the crib was taken further in the baking of a Christmas mince pie in an oblong shape to cradle the image of the infant Jesus. This was very much a pre-Reformation practice and by the time of the Puritans, mince pie making was outlawed as "idolatrie in crust."
When we have a crib scene in our home it is not only a reminder of the first Christmas, it is also a link with all other Christians who have celebrated the joy of the birth of Christ through the ages.
from the Sacred Heart Church, Waterlooville
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page last updated 6 DECEMBER 1998