Nativity Thoughts

Today, the Catholic Church celebrates the ending of Advent and the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.

By the power of the Holy Spirit, He was born of the Virgin Mary, and became man. The Church teaches that Jesus is fully God and fully man from the very moment of His conception. How awesome it is to contemplate this! The very God who created all things humbled Himself and was born as a wee helpless baby in a stable in Bethlehem!

The situation in which Jesus was born is somewhat horrifying by today's Western standards of health care and compassion. A young woman, heavily pregnant, perhaps even then beginning to experience labor pains, travelling with Joseph from house to house, inn to inn, in the dark of the night, later having to give birth surrounded by farm animals, which, it must be said, do not have the most antiseptic of habits or smells. Perhaps even Joseph and Mary, even though they knew and heard the Scriptures that talked about the coming of a humble Messiah, experienced fears and worries. Is this really the One whom God has sent? Is this truly the Messiah, sent to redeem us of our sins?

The angels of heaven appeared to shepherds watching their flocks at night, saying Glory to God in the highest, and peace to all people of good will! The shepherds, directed by the angels, went to the stable in Bethlehem, and there adored the King of All. Humble people, simple people, who first gave worship and glory to God among us. Some days later, Magi from the East came, bringing costly gifts, for they too, stirred in some way by God's Spirit, knew they must adore Him.

King Herod, jealous of his power and authority, feared this wee baby so much, he ordered the slaughter of all boys under the age of 2. These children had done nothing wrong; they were an inconvenience to Herod; things to be feared that would prevent him from living his life the way he wanted.

All through His life among us, our Lord Jesus was surrounded by the humble, by the poor, by the lowest of the low. The least loved of us was loved by Him who is Eternal Love. Later, on Calvary, He gave His life for us all, out of His great love and desire to do the will of His Father in Heaven. He remains with us still, through His Word, the Church, and most especially, in a mysterious way, the Holy Eucharist. He has come to us, and has not abandoned us.

Yea, Lord, we greet Thee
Born this happy morning
Oh Jesus, to Thee be all glory given!
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing
O come let us adore Him
O come let us adore Him
O come let us adore Him
Christ the Lord!