From St Bonaventure’s Life of St Francis of Assisi we get the enigmatic story of how Francis created the first crib, in the woods near Greccio, “for the kindling of devotion”. He first obtained permission from the Pope, for Francis, that most spontaneous and creative of saints, understood that you do not mess with the liturgy on personal whim.
He prepared a manger with hay and brought ox and ass to the spot, Bonaventure says. Then he assembled the brethren and the townsfolk and the woods echoed with their singing and the night was made bright by many lights. Solemn Masses were celebrated over the manger, the deacon Francis proclaiming the Gospel. Next he preached, “standing before the manger bathed in tears and overflowing with joy” and referring to Jesus as “the Child of Bethlehem, by reason of his tender love for Him”.
