Everest Academy Lemont Blog

St. Francis of Assisi lived during a time when people thought too much about riches, and not enough about receiving the greatest gift - Jesus - into their hearts. One day when Francis was praying, he heard Jesus say, “Go, Francis, and repair my Church, which you see is falling into ruin.” From that day, Francis worked to build the Church. He started an order of poor monks called the Friars Minor, or Franciscans. They taught others to seek Jesus, poor and gentle, to fill their hearts. One Christmas Eve, Francis led the Friars Minor up a mountain to celebrate Christmas Mass. He had a new idea about how to share the joy of Christmas with his family of monks. There, before the altar, he had placed an empty manger. Next to it was a real donkey and an ox! After Francis read the Gospel, he prayed for a long time over the manger. Suddenly, people saw the Christ Child appear in the manger, smiling and looking up at Francis! St. Francis had invented the first nativity scene to help celebrate the wonder of Christmas!