The Franciscan tradition is rich with Nativity stories that prepare our hearts for Christmas. It was St. Francis of Assisi who first created a Nativity crèche with a live scene at Greccio, Italy. A wonderful project for home and classroom is to create your own Nativity scene. On the first day of Advent, put out the stable. Each day through the month, add one more part of the scene, ending with the Christ Child on December 25.

A beautiful way to enhance your unfolding story is to use A Franciscan Christmas by Kathleen Carroll, foreword by Franciscan Friar Jack Wintz. This gem of a book gives the history, tradition and spirituality of each piece of the crèche. As you add the figures, share the pages of this book and bring a touch of brown to this enduring holiday tradition through the spirituality of St. Francis of Assisi.