Did you know that St. Francis of Assisi is credited with arranging and promoting the world’s first creche, the depiction of Jesus being born in a stable? The first creche scene was said to be created by Francis during the Christmas season of 1223 in the village of Greccio, Italy.
Before 1223, the faithful heard about the birth of Christ in Mass as described by the priest in Latin, which many may not have understood. St. Francis asked a friend to borrow his donkey and ox, asked other friends to play Mary and Joseph, and set up a nativity scene in a cave just outside Greccio.
Accounts differ on whether a figure represented Jesus.
Carolina, noted in an article in the parish bulletin of St. Francis of Assisi Church in Raleigh that, “It wasn’t a Christmas pageant, more of a representation of the birth, but without Christ because it wasn’t proper to impersonate Jesus.”
Perhaps Francis used a figurine to represent the baby Jesus. In either case, what is reported is that a miracle happened in Greccio that day. The infant Christ, whether a doll or an apparition, appeared in the crib to be cooing and moving. “People fell to the ground in wonder and amazement,” according to reports, said Fr. Jim.
Fr. Jim has embraced the tradition. He has collected about 140 creches, some 50 or so of them were gifted to him by friends and parishioners. Others he bought himself.
Full creches contain bystanders and other characters, including the Magi. Some creches depict everyone at full attention; others are going about their business, seemingly oblivious to the Christmas miracle.
“A crèche builds from the culture where it was created to make it relevant for their culture. It can include geese, ducks, dogs, chickens, turkeys, and quail; the whole of creation,” said Fr. Jim.
Jesus comes to us at Christmas as a vulnerable infant in a manger. Planned Giving to the Franciscans allows you to make a charitable contribution to Franciscan outreach to the poor all over the world. A Planned Giving donation can be part of your overall financial and estate planning, providing support for Franciscan mission. Options for giving are available via bequests, charitable trusts, life insurance policies and retirement accounts.
To learn more about how you can help the Franciscan Friars, contact Bro. Paul O’Keeffe, OFM, at pokeeffe@friars.us or (646) 766-1567.