St. Francis of Assisi assembled the first crib in a cave on an Italian hillside in 1223. His aim was to make the Christmas story come alive for the shepherds and farmers of the locality.
On Christmas Eve the friars and the people assembled with candles and torches to illuminate the night. Then Francis arrived and was very happy when he saw the preparations they had made.
The crib was put in place.
The hay was brought in.
The ox and donkey were led forward.
The woods rang with their prayers.
The rocks echoed with their hymns.
Francis spoke to them about God's son coming among us.
At the end of the vigil they all returned to their homes.
HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ONE AND ALL. MAY YOU AND YOURS BE BLESSED BY THE CHRIST CHILD NOW AND ALWAYS.
