Crib146;s lullaby

Large cribs lavishly laid out in gardens often are an integral part of Christmas celebrations. The crib, which has been synonymous with Christmas preparations, has over the years redefined itself.

Every Christian home at Christmas has the replica of the crib with the babe of Bethlehem

Large cribs lavishly laid out in gardens often are an integral part of Christmas celebrations. The crib, which has been synonymous with Christmas preparations, has over the years redefined itself. Howsoever small they may have become due to bunglows shrinking to apartments and gardens diminishing in size, the essence of recreating the scene in Bethlehem at Christ8217;s birth remains the same with its existence.

The Christmas season is ushered with a lot of fanfare. In today8217;s times of cultural amalgamation and cosmopolitanism, people from every faith and religion partake in the festivities. While Santa Claus, candies and Christmas trees steal the limelight; away from the hoopla every Christian home has a replica of the humble manger in which the babe of Bethlehem was born 8211; the crib. The crib reminds us of the birth of a child, on a cold night amidst the mooing of cattle in an unknown town of Bethlehem.

The origin of the Christmas Crib or Manger or Nativity scene is often first ascribed to Saint Francis of Assisi, who in 1223 AD celebrated the Feast of the Nativity in a new way that led to a new devotional practice. He wanted to represent the birth of that Child in Bethlehem in such a way that with our bodily eyes we may see what He Suffered for lack of the necessities of a newborn babe and how He lay in a manger.

8220;The crib has always been the highlight of the Christmas celebrations in my house. It was never in a corner of the house but has been a very central part. It gives us a feeling that Jesus is born in our house as well.8221; reminisces Sandra Nadgeri about her childhood memories of the crib.

There are the traditional cribs, complete with hay and statues. And then there are the readymade cardboard cribs easily available for the busy ones. Setting up the manger figures is a favorite family activity. Children like to arrange the figures of Mary and Joseph in the stable, and the shepherds, animals and other figures like that of the three wise men.

Margaret Samuel, housewife, beams 8220;For me, the crib holds a very special place. It reminds me that Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Christ. The warm glow in the crib feels me with inner joy that I can8217;t explain, I feel peaceful and happy.8221;

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There are variations in the way the crib is put up as well. Schools too organise crib-making competitions. At many places there are live cribs, where people enact the nativity scene and play the roles of Mary, Joseph, the three kings as well as the shepherds.

Wilvina Fernandes, who has started preparing for Christmas, says, 8220;Making the crib is a tradition that has been passed down over the years. People sometimes fail to realise the importance of the crib. It is remains just a part of the decorations.8221;

Shweta Sinha, a student says, 8220;This season brings with it a lot of festivities. I like the crib my friends make though I don8217;t make one at home. I look forward to helping them in doing so. It is fascinating.8221;

Well, the time is nearing when a babe will be born on a cold winter8217;s night and we will rejoice once again.