The Catholic Church in Sweden

Saint Francis Christmas Crib

December 25 

How Francis, on Christmas Day, built a crib
By Thomas of Celano

"Francis' absolute ideal, his most ardent desire, his unwavering desire was to follow the Holy Gospel to the letter, to conform perfectly to the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ with zeal, diligence, zeal and warmth in all circumstances, and to follow his example. He evoked the words of Jesus in a diligent meditation, and through deep contemplation he sustained the memory of his deeds. Two themes in particular gripped him so strongly that he could hardly think of anything else: humility revealed in the Incarnation and love revealed in the Passion of Christ

That is why I (Thomas de Celano) reverently want to preserve the memory of what Francis did on Christmas Day, three years before his death. In this province lived a man named John. He enjoyed a very good reputation, and his life was even better. Blessed Francis was very fond of him, because, in spite of his noble birth and high office, he attached no importance to the nobility of blood but wished to acquire the nobility of the soul. A couple of weeks before Christmas, Francis had him summoned to him, as he often did. "If you don't mind," he said to him, "let us celebrate the coming feast of the Lord at Greccio; Start right now and prepare everything according to the instructions I am going to give you. I actually want to evoke the memory of the Child who was born in Bethlehem and of all the things he has to go through from childhood; I want to see him, with my bodily eyes, as he was, lay in a crib and sleeping in the hay between an ox and a donkey." The faithful friend immediately went to the village in question and hurriedly prepared what the saint had asked for.

The day of joy had come; the time of rejoicing began. Brothers from several nearby monasteries had been invited. The inhabitants of the neighborhood, men and women, in a festive mood, made torches and wax candles to make the night shine, on this night during which the brilliant Star rose, the Star that would spread its light through all the centuries. When the saint came, he rejoiced to see that everything was ready. A manger and hay had been brought out; a donkey and an ox had been brought out. Here simplicity was truly honored, it was the triumph of poverty, the best lesson in humility; Greccio had become a new Bethlehem. The night was as brilliant as the day and lovely for both people and animals. The people hurried to relive the mystery renewed their joy. The forests resounded with songs, and the mountains reflected the happy echoes. The brothers sang the praises of the Lord, and the whole night passed in joy. The saint spent the evening standing before the manger, crushed with pity, filled with unspeakable joy. At the end, the mass was celebrated with the manger as an altar and the priest who celebrated felt a reverence like never before.

Francis dressed in a Dalmatian, for he was a deacon, and sang the Gospel in a resounding voice. His voice, vibrant and gentle, clear and well-sounding, filled those present with the greatest joy. Then he preached to the people and found words as sweet as honey to speak of the birth of the poor king and of the little town of Bethlehem. When the spoke of Christ Jesus, he called him with much love "the babe of Bethlehem," and he cried out this Bethlehem, which was lengthened to resemble the bleating of a lamb; He let all his voice, all his love pass through his mouth. When he pronounced the words "Jesus" or "the child from Bethlehem," one might think that he was running his tongue over his lips as if to enjoy the sweetness of those words.

Among all the abundant proofs of grace which the Lord has given in this place, one may count the admirable sight which a righteous man enjoyed. He saw in the crib a small, immobile child who seemed to be woken up by the saint as he approached. This vision was indeed timely, for the baby Jesus literally slept in the depths of oblivion in many hearts until the day when his servant Francis awoke to the remembrance of his life, and it was indelibly carved into everyone's memories. After the night's festivities, everyone went home filled with joy.

Hay was kept from the manger "so that Yahweh might be able to heal cattle, so great is his mercy"! In fact, many animals in the area affected by various diseases were cured when they ate this hay. Even stranger, women who had a very difficult and painful childbirth, had a successful birth after taking a few straws of the hay. In the same way, many men and women regained their health.

The manger has become a temple consecrated to the Lord; where the manger itself was, an altar has been built in honor of Blessed Father Francis, so that there formerly the animals ate their food which was hay, men now, for the health of their soul and body, eat the flesh of the Lamb without spot, our Lord Jesus Christ, who, in his immense and unspeakable love, gave himself to us, who lives and reigns in eternal glory with the Father and the Holy Spirit for ever and ever. Amen.

 Hallelujah, Hallelujah!"

(Ur Thomas av Celano, Vita prima)