TRIVIA BITS … NATIVITY CRIB

TRIVIA BITS … NATIVITY CRIB

It’s a common belief that the Nativity Crib began with St Francis. Certainly it was he who made the idea the manager scene popular. But he didn’t invent the idea. Mass was often celebrated over a manger and there are references to a Christmas crib or presipio in Roman churches in the fourth century, However, it was St Francis who decided to make some kind of memorial of the birth of Christ with a manger scene at Greccio around 1224. As with all traditions, people from one period to another adapt and add to the original. In time, miniature country sides with villages, towns and castles were constructed. Figures depicted every variety of activity- peasants fishing and ploughing, soldier son guard, busy butchers, bakers and candle stick makers and elaborately dressed ladies and lords in powdered wigs – all to know that Jesus of Bethlehem belonged to a European background. The custom flourished, particularly in Catholic countries . Often living tableaux were set up with villagers playing the various roles, or children, dressed as angels or shepherds, carried the crib form house to house, stopping to perform scenes from the story. In France, people spoke of the CRECHE , but in Germany, it was the KRIPPE and many traditions grew around it. After the Reformation, many protestant countries banned the crib custom, but ti survived in some reformed German Churches. In some there was a service called KINDELWIEGE. A cradle with an image of the infant Christ was placed in the church. While the congregation danced around the crib, each member took it in turns to rock the cradle in time to the music. Italy, as country of origin of the custom, takes a special pride in its PRESEPIOS. Traditionally erected on Christmas Eve, they are taken down at Epiphany. People got from church to church to compare and enjoy and gifts are often left besides the cribs. Since he start of the 19th century, the manger scene has become a family tradition as well as a public one. Cribs are set up under Christmas trees, in painted boxes, or in lighted windows. Whether made of straw, clay or porcelain, the small figures usually reflect the dress and history of the cultural heritage. Only the story is universal.