The Story of Greccio from The Life of St. Francis by Thomas of Celano, Chapter XXX
(A program for use in Fraternity Meetings or other similar settings.)
Opening Hymn: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel; That mourns in lonely exile here, until the Son of God appear. Refrain: Rejoice, Rejoice, Emmanuel, shall come to thee O Israel. O come, Thou Key of David, come, And open wide our heavenly home; Make safe the way that leads to Thee, and close the path to misery. O come Thou Wisdom from on high, Who orders all things mightily; To us the path of knowledge show, and teach us in your way to go. Opening Prayer: (Christmas Dawn Prayer #2)
Let us Pray:
Almighty God and Father of Light;
a Child is born for us and a Son is given to us.
Your Eternal Word leapt down from Heaven in the silent watches of the night, and now your Church is filled with wonder at the nearness of her God.
Open our hearts to receive His Light and increase our vision with the rising Dawn, that our lives may be filled with His Glory and His Peace, Who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.
Scripture Reading #1: The Birth of Jesus Foretold (Luke 1:26-38)
In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”
“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”
The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth, your relative, is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. For no word from God will ever fail.”
“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.
Response: (The Magnificat, Luke 1:46-55) (all, together)
“My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name.
His mercy extends to those who fear him,
from generation to generation.
He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
He has brought down rulers from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful
to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.”
Scripture Reading #2: The Birth of Jesus, Part 1 (Luke 2:1-7)
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register.
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
Hymn: Away in a Manger
Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, the little Lord Jesus lay down His sweet head. The stars in the sky looked down where he lay, the little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay.
The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes, but little Lord Jesus, no crying He makes. I love thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky, and stay by my cradle ‘til morning is nigh.
Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask thee to stay, close by me forever, and love me, I pray. Bless all the dear children in thy tender care, and take us to heaven to live with thee there.
Scripture Reading #3: The Birth of Jesus, Part 2 (Luke 2:8-21)
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told to them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.
Hymn: Silent Night
Silent night, Holy night. All is calm, all is bright. Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child, Holy Infant, so tender and mild. Sleep in heavenly peace. Sleep in heavenly peace.
Silent night, Holy night. Shepherds quake, at the sight. Glories stream from heaven above, heavenly hosts sing alleluia. Christ the Savior is born. Christ the savior is born.
Silent night, Holy night. Son of God, Love’s pure light. Radiant beams from thy Holy face, with the dawn of redeeming grace. Jesus, Lord at thy birth. Jesus, Lord at thy birth.
Reading One: The Humility of the Incarnation
Francis’ chief intention, his principal desire and supreme purpose was in and through all things to observe the Holy Gospel, and with all watchfulness, all zeal, all the longing of his mind and all the fervor of his heart to perfectly follow the teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ and tread in His footsteps. He would recall the words of Jesus assiduously and meditate on His deeds with fervent consideration. The humility of the Incarnation and the charity of the Passion so occupied his memory that he would scarce ponder anything else. Therefore, what he did at Greccio to reverently remember the birthday of our Lord Jesus Christ is to be devoutly celebrated and eagerly commemorated each year.
Response: (The Remembrance of the Desire of a Soul, Chapter 151) (all, together)
Francis used to observe the Nativity of the Child Jesus with inexpressible eagerness. Above all other solemnities, he affirmed it as the Feast of Feasts, when God became a little child, hung on human breasts. He would kiss images of the “Babe of Bethlehem” and the melting compassion of his heart made him stammer sweet words as babies do. The name “Baby Jesus” was to him like honey and honeycomb in his mouth.
Reading Two: The Celebration is Prepared
In Greccio there was a man named John, of good repute, but of better life, whom blessed Francis loved with special affection. Although noble and greatly honored in that town, he sought nobility of spirit over that of the flesh. About fifteen days before the Nativity of the Lord, Blessed Francis sent for this man and said to him, “If you desire to celebrate the Birth of our Lord at Greccio, then make haste and diligently prepare what I tell you. For I wish to re-create the scene in Bethlehem, so that we will behold with our own eyes how He did not have even the barest necessities, and how He lay in a manger on the hay, with the ox and the ass standing by.” When the good and faithful man heard Francis’ plea, he made haste and prepared everything according to Francis’ instructions.
Hymn: Angels We Have Heard On High
Angels we have heard on high, sweetly singing o'er the plains
and the mountains in reply, echoing their joyous strain.
Refrain: Gloria, in excelsis Deo! Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Shepherds why this jubilee? Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be, which inspire your heavenly song?
Come to Bethlehem and see, Him whose birth the angels sing.
Come adore on bended knee, Christ the Lord the newborn King.
Reading Three: Francis Rejoices
The day of gladness drew nigh, the time of triumph arrived. The brothers were summoned from many places; with exulting hearts the men and women of that town prepared tapers and torches to brighten the night whose shining Star has illuminated every day of every year since. The manger was made ready, the hay carried in, and the ox and ass were led to the spot. At length the Saint of God came, and finding all things prepared, beheld them and rejoiced.
Hymn: O Come, All Ye Faithful
O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant! O come ye, O come ye, to Bethlehem! Come and behold Him, born the King of angels!
Refrain: O come, let us adore Him! O come let us adore Him! O come let us adore Him! Christ the Lord!
O sing, choirs of Angels, sing in exultation! Sing all ye citizens of heaven above! Glory to God, glory in the highest!
Yea, Lord we greet thee, born this happy morning! Jesus to thee be all glory given! Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing!
Reading Four: Mass is Celebrated
The Simplicity of the Gospel was resplendent. Poverty was exalted and Humility commended. Greccio was made as it were a new Bethlehem. The night was bright as the day and made delightful to men and beasts alike. The people came and rejoiced at the Mystery made new. The woodland rang with voices and the boulders echoed the gleeful throng. The brethren sang due praises to the Lord and all the night resounded with jubilation. The Saint of God stood ecstatically before the manger, full of sighs, overcome with tenderness, his spirit trembling with compassion, ineffable Love and wondrous Joy. The solemnities of Mass were celebrated over the manger, and the priest enjoyed a consolation he had never tasted before.
Response: (Letter to the Faithful, 2nd Version) (all, together)
Behold the Word of the Father, so worthy, so Holy, so Glorious, who’s coming in the womb of the Holy and glorious Mary was announced by the Father through His angel Gabriel! From the Virgin Mary’s womb He received our flesh and our frailty. Though He was rich, above all things He wished, together with the most Blessed Virgin, to choose Poverty as His lot in this world.
Reading Five: Francis Preaches
The Saint of God was clothed with Levitical vestments and with an earnest, sweet, clear and sonorous voice he chanted the holy Gospel–ravishing everyone there with heavenly desires, calling each to the highest rewards. Then he preached to the people, uttering melodious words concerning the birth of the poor King and the little town of Bethlehem. When he would name Christ Jesus, with exceeding love he would call Him the “Babe of Bethlehem,” uttering the word “Bethlehem” in the manner of a sheep bleating. He filled his mouth with the sound, but even more his whole self with sweet affection. When naming Jesus he would lick his lips, relishing the fragrance of the Word.
Responsorial: (The Office of the Passion: Vespers of the Lord’s Birth)
Leader: The Most Holy Father of Heaven, our King before all ages,
sent His Beloved Son from on high, and He was born of the
Blessed Virgin Holy Mary.
-Exult in God our help!
Leader: On that day the Lord sent His Mercy, and at night, His song.
-This is the day the Lord has made! Let us rejoice and
be glad!
Leader: For the Most Holy Child has been given to us. He was placed
in a manger because there was no room at the inn.
-Shout to the Lord God, living and True, with cries
of gladness!
Leader: Let the heavens rejoice and the earth exult, let the sea and
its fullness resound, let the fields and all that is in them
be joyful.
-Sing a new song to the Lord! Sing to the Lord all
the earth!
Leader: The Lord is great and worthy of praise. He is awesome
beyond all gods.
-Glory to God in the highest and peace on earth to those
of good will!
Reading Six: “The Babe of Bethlehem” Awakens
There the gifts of the Almighty were multiplied, and a vision of wondrous worth was seen by a virtuous man. In the manger he saw the little Child lying lifeless. Then Francis, the Saint of God, drew near and roused the Child from the lethargy of sleep. This vision was fitting, for the memory of the Child Jesus had been forgotten in the hearts of many. But by the working of Grace and the efforts of the holy man of God, it was brought to Life again and imprinted deeply on every diligent memory. And when the solemn vigil ended, each present returned to his home with unspeakable joy in his heart.
Hymn: What Child is This?
What Child is this, who laid to rest, on Mary’s lap is sleeping? Whom angels greet, with anthems sweet, while shepherds watch are keeping.
Refrain: This, this, is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and
angels sing. Haste, haste, to bring Him laud, the babe,
the Son of Mary.
So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh, come peasant, king, to own Him. The King of kings, Salvation brings, let loving hearts enthrone him.
Raise, raise, a song on high, the Virgin sings a lullaby. Joy, joy, for Christ is born, the Babe, the Son of Mary.
Reading Seven: Miracles Flow from the Celebration
The hay that had been placed in the manger was kept so that the Lord might save many beasts of burden and other animals through it. And verily it came to pass, for many animals in the region were freed of diverse diseases and sicknesses by eating of that hay. Moreover, women in long and difficult labor delivered safely when some of the hay was placed upon them, and many persons of both sexes suffering from various ailments gained long-wished-for health in the same way.
Hymn: Hark the Herald Angels Sing!
Hark! The herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King!" Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled. Joyful all ye nations rise, Join the triumph of the skies. With angelic hosts proclaim, "Christ is born in Bethlehem!" Hark! The herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King!" Christ by highest heaven adored, Christ the everlasting Lord! Late in time, behold him come. Offspring of the favored One. Veiled in flesh the Godhead see. Hail the incarnate Deity. Pleased as man with man to dwell, Jesus our Emmanuel. Hark! The herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King!" Mild He lays His glory by, born that man no more may die. Born to raise the sons of earth, born to give them second birth. Risen with healing in His wings, light and life to all He brings. Hail the Son of righteousness! Hail the heaven born Prince of Peace! Hark! The herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King!"
Reading Eight: Francis’ Requests for Christmas Day (The Mirror of Perfection, #114)
“If I ever speak to the emperor, I will beg and persuade him, for the love of God and of me, to enact a special law forbidding anyone to catch or kill our sister larks or do them any harm. Likewise, all mayors of cities and lords of castles and villages should be bound on the day of the Nativity to scatter wheat and other grain along the roads so that our sister larks and other birds may have something to eat on such a solemn feast. Also, out of reverence for the Son of God, whom on that night was laid in a manger between ox and ass by the most Blessed Virgin Mary, I would add that whoever has an ox or an ass be bound to provide them a generous portion of the best fodder. Likewise, on that day, all the poor should be fed good food by the rich.”
For blessed Francis held the Nativity of the Lord in greater reverence than any other of the Lord’s solemnities, saying: “After the Lord was born to us, it was certain that we would be saved.” On that day, he wanted every Christian to rejoice in the Lord. For love of Jesus, Who gave Himself for us, he wished everyone to provide generously not only for the poor, but for the animals and birds as well.
Response: (The Earlier Rule, Chapter 23) (all, together)
We thank You, Lord, For through Your Son You created us. And through your Hallowed Love, With the Glorious, ever-Virgin, most Blessed, Holy Mary, You brought about His birth as true God and true man. You Willed to redeem us, captive to sin, By His Holy Cross, Blood and Death.
Reading Nine: A Church is Dedicated
Today, the place where the manger stood is revered as a temple of the Lord, and in honor of the most blessed father Francis, over the manger an altar was reared and a church dedicated. This was done so that where beasts had once eaten fodder of hay, men might hereafter, for the healing of soul and body, eat the flesh of the spotless and undefiled Lamb, our Lord Jesus Christ, Who in highest and unspeakable charity gave Himself for us.
He Who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, God eternally glorious, world without end. Amen. Amen. Alleluia. Alleluia.
Hymn: Joy to the World
Joy to the world, the Lord is come, let earth receive her King! Let every heart prepare Him room, and heaven and nature sing, and heaven and nature sing, and heaven, and heaven, and nature sing!
Joy to the world, the Savior reigns, let all their songs employ! While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains, repeat the sounding joy, repeat the sounding joy, repeat, repeat, the sounding joy!
He rules the world, with Truth and Grace, and makes the nations prove, the glories of His righteousness, and wonders of His Love, and wonders of His Love, and wonders, wonders, of His Love!
Joy to the world, the Lord is come, let earth receive her King! Let every heart prepare Him room, and heaven and nature sing, and heaven and nature sing, and heaven, and heaven, and nature sing!
Pace e bene: Peace and all good things!
OFS Ongoing 