Peace and good!

As we celebrate the Feast of the Nativity of the Lord, I wish you and your family a blessed and joyous Christmas Season. Pope Francis (2019, December 1) writes in his Apostolic Letter - Admirabile signum (On the meaning and importance of the nativity scene):

As we contemplate the Christmas story, we are invited to set out on a spiritual journey, drawn by the humility of the God who became human in order to encounter every man and woman. We come to realize that so great is God’s love for us that God became one of us, so that we in turn might become one with God.

The nativity scene has invited us to “feel” and “touch” the poverty that God’s Son took upon himself in the Incarnation.  It asks us to meet him and serve him by showing mercy to those of our brothers and sisters in greatest need. (Mt 25:31-46)

Be glad! Do not be afraid of being joyful!  Don’t be afraid of joy! Let us allow God to enter our lives and invite us to go out to the margins of life and proclaim the gospel. Have courage and joy!

May the Lord grant you faith, peace, hope, health, and joy.

In the peace of Francis of Assisi,

A REFLECTION ON A FRANCISCAN CHRISTMAS TRADITION

Peace and good! As we reflect and mediate on the Nativity of the Lord (Christmas), I would like to share the story of Francis of Assisi and his contribution to the tradition of the Christmas crèche (crib). I invite you to reflect on Francis’ visit to Greccio. We read the following in the The Life of Francis by Thomas of Celano:

It happened, three years prior to his death, that he (Francis) decided to celebrate at the town of Greccio the memory of the birth of the Child Jesus with the greatest possible solemnity, in order to arouse devotion. So that this would not be considered a type of novelty, he petitioned for and obtained permission from the Supreme Pontiff.

He had a manger prepared, hay carried in and an ox and an ass led to the spot. The brethren are summoned, the people arrive, the forest amplifies with their cries, and that venerable night is rendered brilliant and solemn by a multitude of bright lights and by resonant and harmonious hymns of praise. The man of God stands before the manger, filled with piety, bathed in tears, and overcome with joy.

A solemn Mass is celebrated over the manger, with Francis, a levite of Christ, chanting the holy Gospel. Then he preaches to the people standing around him about the birth of the poor King, whom, whenever he means to call him, he called in his tender love, the Babe from Bethlehem.

A certain virtuous and truthful knight, Sir John of Greccio, who had abandoned worldly military activity out of love of Christ and had become an intimate friend of the man of God, claimed that he saw a beautiful little child asleep in that manger whom the blessed father Francis embraced in both of his arms and seemed to wake it from sleep.

Not only does the holiness of the witness make credible the vision of the devout knight, but also the truth it expresses proves its validity and the subsequent miracles confirm it. For Francis's example, when considered by the world, is capable of arousing the hearts of those who are sluggish in the faith of Christ.

The hay from the crib was kept by the people and miraculously cured sick animals and drove away different kinds of pestilence. Thus God glorified his servant in every way and demonstrated the efficacy of his holy prayer by the evident signs of wonderful miracles. (1 Cel, 30)

The tradition of the crèche (or crib) originates with Francis of Assisi and is a Franciscan contribution to the celebration of Christmas. I invite you to read and reflect upon Pope Francis’ Apostolic Letter (2019, December 1), Admirabile signum (On the meaning and importance of the nativity scene).

Know that the Franciscan Friars and the Parish Staff will remember you and your family in our prayers during this Christmas Season.

In the peace of Francis of Assisi,
Father Tom, TOR

Reference:
Armstrong, R., Hellman, W., & Short, W. (1999). Francis of Assisi: Early Documents. New York, NY: New City Press, Chapter 30.