It is now a long-standing Franciscans of the Eucharist of Chicago tradition that the Saturday after Thanksgiving is “Christmas set-up day”. Typically, 45-60 volunteers join us to assemble the Nativity sets, haul Christmas trees to their stations, shimmy-up ladders to place the lights, and trim the ceilings, trees, and church with Christmas decorations. One may be tempted to think, gazing at the outside Nativity with 40 toy soldiers guarding baby Jesus, that we went a tad overboard. But let us follow the lights, signs, and trees to their deeper meaning.
Volunteers working to set up an old-school electric Nativity display on the side of the church building. 
Franciscans hard at work fluffing the convent tree. 
Postulants being initiated into the tree fluffing tradition! 
Sr. Macey helps to oversee setting up Christmas trees in the OC 
Sr. Maggie puts her formation to good use in helping to perfect the Christmas trees surrounding the memorial statue of Our Lady in the OC Lobby. 
Hanging icicle lights in the OC dining room. 
Assembling the 12 foot Christmas trees in the Church. 
Beginning work on setting up the life-size manger display in the Church.
The truth is that zeal for Christmas is a very Franciscan tradition! St. Francis, living in a secularized culture of the 1200’s, realized that to most people of his time, Christ was practically a myth and the love of God a pleasant platitude. Wishing to show the people of his age the heart of the Father, he created the first live nativity display to bring to life the love of God made manifest by His Incarnation. When the people saw with their eyes the humble condition into which our Lord was born, and the passionate love of St. Francis for the child Jesus, they came to see what he saw: a God who so loved the world that He gave His only Son, born in human flesh, who emptied Himself into our poverties, that He might give us a proof of His love.
Our love for Christmas comes from our Holy Father Francis! Here is the site of the very first creche that Sr. Francis set up in Greccio so many years ago. 
Nativity display at Greccio 
Yet another Nativity scene encountered on an FE Assisi pilgrimage. 
Document explaining the story of St. Francis and the first creche. 
Bishop Bob, Sr. Jaime, and Sr. Jess at the Christmas Tree / Nativity display at St. Peter’s Square.
So although our world tries to capitalize aspects of Christmas to their own profit, there is a great value to declaring the True Story loud and clear. What took place so many years ago in Bethlehem takes place every Christmas day and even EVERY day in the Mass – the Lord continues to take flesh and come among us, in the Eucharist. As we prepare for Christmas this year, perhaps with anxieties and stress, hopes and joys, let us remember that “the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it”. Jn 1:5
Neighbors enjoying the beautiful Church manger and decorations during the Christmas prayer service and luncheon. 
Alumni of Our Lady of the Angels School gathered amidst the festive trees and roping in the church basement for the annual School Fire Memorial Mass. 
The outdoor manger scene with approximately 40 toy soldiers to help make sure all our neighbors on Avers (and cars passing by) know the reason for the season! 
The main church sanctuary beautifully decorated for the season. 
Brothers pose by the Christmas trees in the lobby at one of our Tuesday pantries. 
Icicle lights and trees in the OC dining room help to lift spirits in the pantry waiting room.