December has come. Christmas is just around the corner.
Do you know where the Christmas celebration began?

About 800 years ago, in a small town in Italy called Assisi, there lived a young man named Francis. He is now known as Francis of Assisi.

Francis was born into a rich family. His father was a cloth merchant. Francis loved singing and was kind to everyone. When he grew up, he enjoyed spending time with his friends and often paid for them.

At that time, many wars were going on in Europe. Francis went to war, but he was captured, became sick, and finally returned home. After this, his life completely changed.

He began to help poor and sick people. He gave away his father's cloth and used the money to help others. His father became very angry, and they went to court. Francis took off all his clothes, returned them to his father, and left his home to live without money.

Francis repaired old churches and cared for sick people. Many people were moved by his life and joined him. He lived by these words:

“Instead of being comforted, comfort others.
Instead of being understood, understand others.
Instead of being loved, love others.”

One Christmas, Francis made a small stable with a baby doll and animals. Everyone celebrated together in a warm and peaceful way. This is said to be the beginning of the Christmas nativity scene.

At that same time, Japan was changing from the Heian period to the Kamakura period. From a small town in Europe, the spirit of Christmas slowly spread around the world.