Greccio Christmas

A Reflection by Fred Schaeffer, OFS

In the life of St. Francis at Christmastime in 1223, three years before he died, we find a unique story that takes place in the Italian town of Greccio: “Therefore, desiring to represent as faithfully as possible the lowly poverty of the infancy of the Savior born at Bethlehem, when the Feast of the Nativity was at hand, the man of God sent word to a religious nobleman in the town of Greccio named John, who provided an ox and an ass, with a stable, in anticipation of the joys of the coming celebration. (from: “The Life of St Francis”, Julian of Speyer, FA:ED, vol. 1, 406 ff.)

“Finally the holy night arrived. Blessed Francis was there with many of his brothers gathered around him. The hay in the manger is prepared, the ox and the ass are arranged around the manger, and the vigil celebration begins with joy. A great multitude of people stream together from various places, the night is filled with an unaccustomed joy and made luminous by candles and torches. And so, with a new ritual, the festival of a new Bethlehem is celebrated. (ibid)

“The brothers also paid their debt of praise to the Lord, and all present acclaimed him with new songs of praise. Blessed Francis, however, was standing before the manger full of sighs of joy and suffused by an indescribable sweetness. Finally, when Solemn Mass was celebrated above the manger, the holy Levite of God, dressed in festive vestments proclaimed the gospel with a sonorous voice and then with a voice flowing with honey he preached to the people about the poor King born in Bethlehem. Truly, he was so overcome by sweet devotion toward the infancy of that King, that whenever he had to speak the name of Jesus Christ, he would, as if stuttering, call him “the babe of Bethlehem,” out of an excess of loving tenderness. (ibid)

“Lest it be thought that these things happened without divine approval, a miraculous vision was shown to a certain virtuous man, who saw Blessed Francis go up to the manger and waken, as if from a deep sleep, a child who seemed to be lying there lifeless. It is therefore believed, and not without reason, that the Lord Jesus aptly revealed his infancy in this vision to the one who reflected upon it. He who was asleep or dead in the hearts of many, owing to forgetfulness, was awakened and recalled to memory by the teaching and example of Blessed Francis. The solemnities were completed with great exultation, and everyone happily returned to their homes. (ibid)

“Later, hay from the manger saved both men and women from various perils and also proved health-giving when applied to stricken brute beasts. Moreover, the place of the manger is consecrated as a temple of the Lord, (1 Kgs 8:63) and an altar, constructed above that same manger, is dedicated to the honor of the holy father Francis, and in memory of the event. (ibid)

This text from Julian of Speyer gives us what occurred at Greccio in 1223 at Christmas, and now it is our turn in 2022 to relive Christmas again as Franciscans in 2022. We love our Seraphic Father Francis for his life, his example, his Faith and devotion. We also love him for the Rule we follow daily.

I hope that the “unaccustomed joy” that was felt in Greccio is also felt by each of you as you sit down at your family table or in easy chairs in your den with all of your family, and in Church, on December 24/25, as you relive the Franciscan Christmas Feast.

Please pray for me as I will for all of you
Have a Blessed and Wonderful Christmas. Think of St. Francis at Greccio. Peace!

Fred Schaeffer, OFS
Dec. 23, 2022 republished Nov. 30, 2025

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