Tampa, Florida – All are welcome to take part in the annual Blessing of the Creche event on Friday, December 10th at 6pm at the Franciscan Center, 3010 N. Perry Ave. Tampa. This is a very special tradition when we gather outdoors around our creche scene as it gets blessed by the Friars from Sacred Heart Church, Tampa. Guests are invited to bring a figurine from their own nativity sets to be blessed as well. We will enjoy Christmas caroling as well as sweet treats provided by the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany Associates.
This year we will also be collecting toy donations for Mary Lee’s House, a nonprofit dedicated to the prevention, intervention and treatment of child abuse and neglect. Developmental toys and culturally diverse toys are most needed for ages infant through 13 years. Unwrapped toys can be dropped off early at the Center beginning Dec. 1st.
This blessing event is an annual tradition at the Franciscan Center. St. Francis of Assisi commemorated the birth of Jesus with a live nativity scene in 1223. Villagers came to gaze at the nativity as Francis preached about “the babe of Bethlehem.” Legend also claims that the hay used by Francis miraculously acquired the power to cure local cattle diseases.
Crèche is the French term for a Nativity, manger, or crib scene. Today it is common to have a crèche in the church during the Christmas season. Many Christian families also have crèches in their homes or on their front lawn as Christmas decorations. In some localities, crèches are on display in the town square, a park, or some other public place.