FSC Associate Article
A Franciscan Perspective of the Incarnation and Christmas - Father Greg Plata, OFM December 20, 2025
By Mary Mosser, FSC Associate
Fr. Greg began by giving us an overview of the season of Advent, touching on its history. He described how St. Francis of Assisi created the first live Nativity scene. He also explained the Franciscan understanding of the Incarnation compared to how the Thomists (followers of St. Thomas of Aquinas) view the Incarnation.
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Fr. Greg Plata, OFM
Advent is the start of a new liturgical year. The season of Advent begins on the Sunday nearest the feast of St. Andrew, which is November 30th and lasts four Sundays leading up to Christmas Eve.
Catholic traditions around Advent developed over time. The observance of Advent began around the 4th century and started as a type of Lent before Christmas. By the 6th and 7th centuries, Advent was showing up in the church’s books. As time passed, Advent became more standardized to include four Sundays.
Advent is not about speculation. The Advent readings call us to be alert and ready, not weighed down by distractions and cares of the world. The season of Advent is a reminder for us to ask ourselves: Are we ready to meet God?
The Catholic church is a church of the senses: bread, lights, flowers, statues, stained glass and so on. Each season celebrated in the Catholic church has its own characteristics for the senses, including color, decorations and music.
The liturgical color for Advent is purple, symbolizing expectation and royalty. The 3rd Sunday of Advent is Gaudete Sunday when the celebrant wears a rose vestment which is the color of hope. Another tradition is to display an Advent wreath in the church with four candles. A new candle is lit each Sunday during Advent. Three of the candles are purple and one is rose-colored.
For the celebration of Christmas, Catholic churches typically display a Nativity scene which is a visual reminder of the birth of Jesus. We have St. Francis of Assisi to thank for the creation of the Nativity scene.
Before his transformation, St. Francis of Assisi lived a care-free and opulent life. Francis went into battle as a knight searching for glory and honor but was captured and imprisoned. During Francis’ time, people were taught that they were sinners and unworthy of God’s love. It took some time for Francis to realize that God loved him and forgave the sins he had committed.
Francis wanted to live a radical life for God and was happy to have others join him. However, Francis became disheartened because the institution that he started was becoming more regimented.
This Nativity scene was displayed in the Administration building at Our Lady of Victory Convent.
Francis wanted to live a radical life for God and was happy to have others join him. However, Francis became disheartened because the institution that he started was becoming more regimented.
Around Christmas 1223, Francis was walking back from Rome to Assisi and stopped in Greccio. Francis had preached in Greccio previously and found the people to be devout. There was a small hermitage or friary in Greccio where Francis stayed. For the people of that time, life was difficult. They dealt with infant mortality, crime, and mundane back-breaking work. Christmas was seen as a feast and a break from their routine.
Christians of that time saw God as One who would punish them if they stepped out of line, so they didn’t want to incur His wrath. Francis wanted to do something to change the people’s perspective of God, so he created the first-ever live Nativity scene. With the help of a couple from Greccio, a stable was built in a cave and Francis received permission to have Mass outdoors.
Institution of the Crib at Greccio
by Giotto (1295)
On Christmas Eve, people came with torches, bringing light to the cave. People of all walks of life came to see what was going on – Brothers, nobility, poor people, laborers, visitors, and other curious people. Francis was elated to see all the people. A priest celebrated Mass in the cave. Francis preached about the birth of baby Jesus and participated in the Mass as a deacon.
In this live Nativity scene there were sheep, hay, and a couple portraying Mary and Joseph. People were used to the sights and smells of the animals and the hay, but they saw this scene with fresh eyes because of the baby in the manger. People understood the message of Jesus’ birth and recognized that He comes among us.
Fr. Greg explained the difference between how Franciscans and followers of St. Thomas of Aquinas view the Incarnation. Thomists believe that the Incarnation was necessary to atone for original sin. Franciscans views the Incarnation as part of God’s plan and a sign of God’s love for humanity. Both views are backed up by Scripture.
I enjoyed Fr. Greg’s presentation. It gave me much to think about. One of Fr. Greg’s reflection questions was: Do you appreciate the seasons of the liturgical year and why? I enjoy the many different seasons of the liturgical year and how each season is reflected in the church’s atmosphere. Seeing the Nativity scene each year is one of my favorite parts of Christmas, so I enjoyed hearing the story of how St. Francis of Assisi created the first live Nativity scene in Greccio.