Saint Francis of Assisi had a desire to celebrate the birth of Christ in a new way. A back step to the genuinity of the first Christmas. For this, Francis chose not the churches or their forms, but the humble stables of the animals on the mountain.
Francis came up with this idea after making a pilgrimage to the Holy Land and seeing the real place where Christ was born. The young man in Assisi was most affected by the poverty of the stable at Bethlehem. It was that poverty that prompted him to celebrate Christmas.
Thomas, a Franciscan monk, writes: 15 days before Christmas, Francis said to one of his brothers at the monastery,’ I want to make a tribute to the Infant who was born in Bethlehem. A monument that can be seen the pitiness and sufferings of Jesus with us. The remembrance of sleeping baby Jesus among the cubs. There, the simplicity was respected, the poverty is praised, and the humility is glorified.’
The lay-brother of saint Francis built the new Bethlehem. That night was as bright as a day. Humans and animals happily stood in front of the crib with Francis. Their sighs melted into tenderness and joy. A festive Holy Mass was held in that crib. The priest received a wonderful consolation in his heart.
Saint Bonaventura testifies that some say that he saw infant Jesus was sitting in Francis’ arms that night. “A brave and honest soldier says: ‘That night Francis hugged a beautiful baby in the cradle with both hands. Jesus awoke from his sleep and smiled at Francis.” News of Francis’ crib was spread throughout the country.
In 1291, the first Franciscan pope, Nicholas IV, issued a decree ordering the permanent installation of the Nativity scene in the Basilica of Our Lady of Rome. After that, the crib and the infant Jesus became a colorful part of the Christmas celebration.