It is said to have been popularized by Saint Francis of Assisi, who founded the Franciscan order. Being a great nature lover, the animals were featured in the crib setting. maybe this was the reason why they had the character ( Francis the talking Mule) in the movies. A live animal creche including the Equine hybrid was featured at St. John's church in Jersey City from l958 well into the sixties.
Saint Francis
because Jesus was born in a crib
St. Francis made the first crib
The manger (animal feeding trough) was already in place when it was adopted for the Christmas theme. Mary may have been looking for a place real quick to lay her infant down.
preperation of the crib!
because baby jesus was put in a manger which is what they used instead of a crib
crib
The first mention of a Christmas crib is in the bible, when the baby Jesus was laid in a manger. However, it was in 1293 that St Francis of Assisi put a cr̬che in the woods on Christmas Eve and gathered some people for a service. It is said that the babe appeared in the crib. The idea of having a crib in a town to celebrate Christmas was soon adopted all over the Christian world.
francis of assissi
crib
Cribs represent the crib that Baby Jesus was born in on Christmas.
St. Francis