You are invited to pick up blessed straw to take for your home nativity.
The custom of blessing straw originated in France from where it spread to other countries. Straw is blessed at Sunday Mass near the beginning of Advent and is brought home. After the manger has been set up children are invited to add one piece of straw to the manger for every good deed they do. Thus, the children prepare a soft bed of straw for the arrival of the baby Jesus. More importantly, they prepare their heart and soul to welcome Christ.