The origins of the Christmas crib: a festival full of history and emotion

The origins of the Christmas crib: a festival full of history and emotion

On a Christmas night 801 years ago, St. Franz of Assisi staged the first crib celebration in Greccio to celebrate the birth of Jesus. At that time, people prepared the first crib scenes with a lot of heart and commitment. This monumental act was carried out in the region as a solemn spectacle, which was carried out with joy and dedication and as part of the Christian tradition entered church. This reports Noen.at . The historical cribs, especially those in Lower Austria, are rare, which underlines the importance of tradition.

a festival of joy and reflection

On that unforgettable night of December 25, 1223, men and women from the area gathered to support Francis. This dynamic celebration was not only a religious ceremony, but also a cultural event that combined the community and celebrated the importance of humility and poverty. "Throughout the night, cheers up in a light cheers", the chronicler Thomas von Celano impressively describes this moving scenery, which is now the cornerstone for the crib tradition. According to dibk.at this celebration left a sustainable impression in the social and liturgical practice of Christianity.

The first crib celebration in Greccio inspired generations and led to the creation of countless cribs in churches and households, especially in the Alpine region. This tradition is not only an important part of the Christian faith, but also a special cultural heritage that is recognized by UNESCO. Nowadays, Christmas cribs worldwide are appreciated as important elements of the Christmas celebrations, and the style of the celebrations that Francis started, remains alive in the hearts of the faithful.