SW News: Pope Francis signed an apostolic letter on Sunday during his visit to the Italian town of Greccio. It is the place where St. Francis of Assisi created the first nativity scene in 1223.

In his letter the Holy Father said that the admirable sign of the manger, so dear to the Christian people, always arouses astonishment and wonder.

Pope Francis noted that the crib contains different mysteries of the life of Jesus and makes them feel close to our daily life. “Representing the event of Jesus' birth is equivalent to announcing the mystery of the Incarnation of the Son of God with simplicity and joy,” he said.

“While we contemplate the Christmas scene, we are invited to set out spiritually on the way, attracted by the humility of the One who became man to meet every man,” the Holy Father added.

“With this letter I would like to support the beautiful tradition of our families, who prepare the crib in the days before Christmas,” he wrote.

“The crib,” he said “is part of the sweet and demanding process of transmission of the faith."