The First Christmas Crib
"Now the day of joy drew near, the time of great rejoicing! For this occasion many of the brothers were summoned from various places. Men and women of the neighborhood came too, dressed in their festive native costumes, and they carried candles and torches, according to their means, to light up that night whose heavenly star lights up all our days and years. And when the Blessed Francis himself came, and found all things prepared, he was filled with joy. Then the manger itself was prepared with the hay that had been brought, and the ox and ass were led in . . . ." --Celano, First Life, 84-85
The night Jesus was born an angel heralded his birth to shepherds tending their flock up in the hills and "suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased." Francis experienced this kind of awe as he prepared the creche to receive his King.
"Now the day of joy drew near, the time of great rejoicing! For this occasion many of the brothers were summoned from various places. Men and women of the neighborhood came too, dressed in their festive native costumes, and they carried candles and torches, according to their means, to light up that night whose heavenly star lights up all our days and years. And when the Blessed Francis himself came, and found all things prepared, he was filled with joy. Then the manger itself was prepared with the hay that had been brought, and the ox and ass were led in . . . ." --Celano, First Life, 84-85
The night Jesus was born an angel heralded his birth to shepherds tending their flock up in the hills and "suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased." Francis experienced this kind of awe as he prepared the creche to receive his King.
No comments:
Post a Comment