Central to Franciscan spirituality is the Incarnation—the union of divinity and humanity in the person of Jesus. In his lifetime, Francis of Assisi wanted nothing more than to emulate the life of Christ and celebrate his momentous birth. So, in 1223, he and the townspeople of Greccio, a commune in central Italy, got to work in creating the first live nativity.

When it was ready, Thomas of Celano, Francis’ first biographer, wrote, “There simplicity was honored, poverty was exalted, humility was commended, and Greccio was made, as it were, a new Bethlehem.”

800 years later, Franciscan Media, in collaboration with the Franciscan School of Theology and the Franciscan Federation, will be celebrating this occasion. Join us for this live event, moderated by Sara P. Marks and featuring Darleen Pryds, PhD, and Father Mike Lasky, OFM Conv, on November 28 at 8:00 EST for a discussion on the significance of this anniversary and its place in Franciscan history.