The First Christmas Crib
"There was a certain man in Greccio by the name of John, of good reputation and an even better life. He was very dear to Blessed Francis because, although noble and greatly honored in that region, he preferred nobility of spirit to that of the flesh. Thus it was that about two weeks before the Birth of the Lord, Blessed Francis sent for this man, as he had on other occasions and said to him, 'If you would like to celebrate the Birth of Jesus at the hermitage of Greccio, then go with haste and diligently prepare what I tell you. For I wish to re-create the birth of the Babe born in Bethlehem, so that we will see with our own eyes how he did not even have the barest necessities, how he lay in a manger, how, with an ox and an ass standing by, he lay upon the hay where he had been placed.' When the good and faithful man heard these things, he ran with haste and prepared the place according to Francis's instructions. . . ." --Celano, First Life, 84-85
We often need visual cues to help us fully grasp something. They take us out of our self-centeredness and put us in the situation. That is why plays were important to people and how ideas could be conveyed and received. It's why stories, where we can visualize our own 'play', help us see things from a different perspective. Anytime we can show people Christ, especially with our lives, we are furthering His Kingdom here on earth and in heaven.
"There was a certain man in Greccio by the name of John, of good reputation and an even better life. He was very dear to Blessed Francis because, although noble and greatly honored in that region, he preferred nobility of spirit to that of the flesh. Thus it was that about two weeks before the Birth of the Lord, Blessed Francis sent for this man, as he had on other occasions and said to him, 'If you would like to celebrate the Birth of Jesus at the hermitage of Greccio, then go with haste and diligently prepare what I tell you. For I wish to re-create the birth of the Babe born in Bethlehem, so that we will see with our own eyes how he did not even have the barest necessities, how he lay in a manger, how, with an ox and an ass standing by, he lay upon the hay where he had been placed.' When the good and faithful man heard these things, he ran with haste and prepared the place according to Francis's instructions. . . ." --Celano, First Life, 84-85
We often need visual cues to help us fully grasp something. They take us out of our self-centeredness and put us in the situation. That is why plays were important to people and how ideas could be conveyed and received. It's why stories, where we can visualize our own 'play', help us see things from a different perspective. Anytime we can show people Christ, especially with our lives, we are furthering His Kingdom here on earth and in heaven.
No comments:
Post a Comment