A FEW YEARS AGO A PRIEST FRIEND SENT ME THIS MEDITATION. I HAVE SAVED IT TO SAVOR AND RE-READ EACH CHRISTMAS AND I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE IT WITH YOU. AVE MARIA!
(Luke 2: 11) “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.”
I think you should consider the words: "For unto you ….. " in Luke 2:11. As I was putting up my nativity set these three words sprung out at me "For unto you … " Yes lord how I need your holy nativity. The visitation of Elisabeth and Mother Mary confirms that life is precious in God's eyes. You and I take our assigned places in God's providence, mine to stand and offer the sacrifice of Christ’s blood and body for the remission of our sins.
Yet look how low the Son of God stooped to make our salvation possible! A cave and a manger for the Lord of Glory to visit this sin cursed world! A cave that only allows me to bow before His presence to enter in.
I held the twig twisted manger that w8S to be the Lord's bed. Even poor me, divested of all this world holds dear, is welcome to kneel and adore Jesus! The two little lambs pointed their faces at the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world.
Our Jesus offers us the sacrifice of the Mass so we will never forget the high cost of our redemption.
The donkey in the comer of the manger gladly bore the weight of the blessed Mother to carry her to Bethlehem meaning the "house of bread" . Yes, Jesus is our living bread that came down from heaven to heal our sinful souls and prepare us to enter heaven.
There is Joseph who suffered much to see God's holy will fulfilled in the birth of God's Son. Our life, like Joseph's, is mixed with buffeting and blessings. God gave Joseph great graces to carry life’s challenges and that grace and mercy is renewed to us each day.
There is the blessed Mother dressed in blue; God graced her to be the door that will open God's heaven to those that love her Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. I prayed the joyful mysteries before the manger and I felt my sorrows fly away like little birds.
There is the little boy kneeling in awe before the Baby Jesus and the wonder of the angel’s song still fills the air. The angel announces "Glory to God in the Highest” and indeed the glory of the only begotten Son of the Father shines brightly in the dark of night.
To the left are three camels and the three wise kings with their gifts kneeling in worship before the Savior. God's love was wrapped in the babe of Bethlehem for people of every kindred, tongue and nation of the world.
To the right are the shepherds, the common working men, who labor to provide for their families needs. They saw the heavens lit up with the angels from the throne room of God's heaven and heard the Gospel proclaimed.
There is the cow providing much needed heat for the new born Christ Child.
What place would we take in this manger scene? For me, I am the donkey bearing the many burdens of those in great need at Christmas. Yes the world may consider me an ass but that Is only because they refuse to follow me to Bethlehem and see what has come to pass. Yes, you must allow the light of the star to lead you to the Savior's crib and adore and worship the King of Kings and lord of lords.
Glory to God in the Highest!
Fr. Joseph
