Christmas Message From Fr. Richard Gibbons

A Very Happy Christmas!

Today the town of Greccio in central Italy is a sleepy kind of hilltop top town. But in 1223 it started a tradition that we still love to this day at Christmas time, thanks to St Francis of Assisi. St Francis put on the world’s first nativity scene here. He was very keen to explain to the people of Greccio that there was more to Christmas than lots of food and drink and gifts. He felt then as indeed today that the true meaning of Christmas was being lost in the other “stuff”. St Bonaventure, a member of the Franciscan order living in 1200s, wrote that Francis “prepared a manger and brought hay and an ox and an ass to the place appointed.” Then at midnight on Christmas Eve, “ the brethren (other Franciscans) were summoned, the people ran together, the forest resounded with their voices and that venerable night was made glorious…” The first crib and nativity scene was a huge hit with everyone and so we have it today.

We can draw meaning from anything really to suit ourselves and even to suit our own view of the world. Christmas itself can mean so many things to many people – it can mean a time for family gatherings, a time of year when we’re nicer to each other, it can mean a time of anxiety for people as well. Echoing St Francis however, it’s only true and significant meaning is the celebration of God becoming one of us to show us how much we are loved and wanted by Him. So this Christmas why not spend a little time with your family before the crib, take in its history and meaning and finish by saying a prayer for you all for the year ahead.

Wishing you all a very Happy Christmas and may the New Year bring many blessings.

Fr Richard