Bishop Burrows on correct preparation of the crib

Bishop Michael Burrows has offered guidelines on the preparation of cribs in churches and homes during the festive season, pointing out that it’s wrong to place the figure of baby Jesus in the manger until Christmas eve.

In his December letter to parishioners, the Church of Ireland Bishop of Cashel, Ferns and Ossory said cribs come in all sorts and sizes, sometimes mass-produced and sometimes the fruit of real artistic creativity.

‘ The important thing is how they can be used to assist us in creating a sense of Advent expectation, and also in absorbing the various elements of the Christmas narrative, one by one.

‘So during Advent, the crib should be virtually empty although carefully prepared. The animals should be there, with the manger and the hay, but really little else’.

Bishop Burrows advised that on Christmas Eve, Mary and Joseph arrive and at the first Eucharist of Christmas, around midnight, the baby Jesus is placed in the manger, with the angels singing above.

By daylight on Christmas morning, the shepherds have arrived but the wise men do not take their place until the Epiphany on January 6.

‘However, in the days between Christmas, they may be seen making their way gradually through the church to the crib, starting their journey appropriately from the East.’

‘Children love this appropriate staging of the Christmas story; in truth adults rather love it too’,he said.

The Bishop said the crib should probably remain in place until 40 days after Christmas, until Candlemas, the Feast of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple, the last event in the birth story of the Lord.

‘On that day, Mary and Joseph bring their firstborn to the temple to be dedicated to the Lord, offering during their visit the prescribed sacrifice of gratitude.’

‘Enjoy the preparation and the beauty of your cribs wherever they may be - and don’t rush the story! When Advent concludes, there are really 40 whole days to have a very Happy Christmas’, he said.

CHILDREN LOVE THIS APPROPRIATE STAGING OF THE CHRISTMAS STORY