Homepage of Institute of educational foundation Fukuyama Akenohoshi

　When the Advent to prepare for Christmas begins, I prepare for a barn and put the images such as scholars of the astrology which came over there from Joseph and Maria, breeding of sheep and the east and a sheep or the cow at the front entrance in the star in dawn, and yes 2,000 years ago is famed for a heart in the scene where it was born. It was St. Francisco of ashiji to have celebrated birth of Jesus Christ in such a way first.

　In 1223, he wanted to celebrate Christmas in the way that anyone had not seen till then. I said, "Jesus wants to see it with my naked eyes how long it was wished I became poor for us" and I put the manger which filled the rocky cavern of the forest which was near the town called guretchio with one cup of hay and prepared.

 

  Only the cave of the rocky mountain was picked up in darkness brightly in the evening, and mass began while I advocated a torch in a hand, and the shadow of the person who gathered shook. Giovanni of the friend who looked at a manger had a feeling that a genuine baby slept peacefully there for an instant. When Francisco approached a manger and it seemed to be dear and lifted Jesus, the baby woke and smiled at Francisco and I stretched out a small hand and patted his face then. When Francisco is full of joy, and an overflow, all-night mass were over, it is said that the people are met with mysterious joy peacefully and went down the mountain.

 

  The impression that I celebrated with Francisco revived on the chest of people of the town afterwards when Christmas approached every year. The night scene of people was informed it from mouth to mouth, and the people have begun to make a manger with their hands in the church of own town. You spread straw all and let the image of the lovely baby idle, and put an animal image with Joseph, Maria, shepherdesses staring at yes affectionately near.

 

  The day when Christmas was born as a poor baby as the human being that Jesus Christ was alone small, and it was to our friend. The day when I am born in the heart of of me and people this year. Without when is all right, anyone being afraid in own skimpiness or littleness, and doing humiliating thought, the day when prepared to bring it close to the spring of the help. While we look at a baby like Francisco, I taste beloved joy, peace of mind, the splendor of forgiving each other's it, hope to live for and am pleased with the Messiah being in our life together today and want to celebrate it.

 

Principal Kinuko Asahiro