Christmas Sparks Day 05 World’s First Christmas Crib

It was in 1223 in the central Italian mountain village of Greccio that St Francis of Assisi arranged the first Christmas crib. In a cave near the Franciscan monastery in the village, Francis and the brothers of his community set up a live crib using hay, pieces of wood, an ox and an ass.

During the Fifth Crusade between 1217 and 1221, Francis was able to visit the Holy Land, which included a visit to Bethlehem. He was granted permission to visit the Holy Land by Al-Kamil, the Sultan of Egypt, which was then under his rule. Francis preached before Al-Kamil attempting to bring an end to the Fifth Crusade. It was after that visit to Bethlehem that Francis set up the Christmas crib to honour the Savior he adored and to spread the message to the people.

Just as St Francis of Assisi, let us who meditate on and imitate the Divine Saviour, prepare a crib of humility and peace in our hearts, our homes and our surroundings.

Shaji Joseph Arakkal