While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:6–7 (Gospel from Mass During the Night)
A loving mother and father who experience the birth of
their first child receive insight into the sacredness and beauty of this scene.
Though great mystery surrounds Jesus’ conception within the womb of the Blessed
Virgin Mary, she was truly His mother, and He was truly her Son. Saint Joseph,
knowing he was not this Child’s biological father, made a profound act of faith
by accepting that fatherly responsibility, as instructed in a dream by an angel
of the Lord. Because of his faith and God-given mission, Joseph’s commitment to
being the father of the Son of God was one that only a most loving and devoted
father would make.
As we celebrate Christmas Day, we are reminded of the
humility with which our Lord chose to enter the world. Jesus was born in a
place where animals dwelt because Mary and Joseph were away from their home to
register for the Roman census. At first glance, one might conclude that the
physical environment, most likely a cave, was unfortunate. However, we can be
certain that this humble and poor setting was part of God’s divine plan, adding
to the glory of that night. Christ, in His humility, chose this setting to
reveal to us the true greatness of love.
The poverty and humility of the cave and the manger—a
feeding trough for animals—helped point to the sacredness of Jesus’ birth. No
glamor, no fancy or comfortable setting, only love. Pure love. The love in the
heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the devotion of Saint Joseph, and the
Incarnate presence of the Son of God were everything needed to make that night
glorious.
One lesson we can learn from the Nativity of the Lord is
that the beauty, peacefulness, and contentment of our lives are not dependent
upon how much money or how many material possessions we have, but rather on the
purity of our love. The Holy Family’s hearts were perfectly fulfilled, not
because of their surroundings, but because of their intimate union with God in
the person of Jesus Christ.
The presence of the Son of God in that place of poverty
sheds light on the true riches we crave. The true treasures we seek are found
not in wealth, comfort, or possessions, but in the love and grace of God. The
Holy Family’s witness reveals to us that when we place our hearts in God’s
hands, we will be filled with all we need.
Reflect today on that most sacred, simple, and humble
scene. As you do, try to imagine how humanly fulfilling that experience was for
the Holy Family. Jesus was wrapped tightly in swaddling clothing, and He was
adored with the greatest affection of His mother and foster father. Mary and
Joseph’s hearts contained all that was necessary for profound gratitude and
fulfillment. If you struggle with being fulfilled, learn a lesson from the Holy
Family and seek to imitate Mary and Joseph so that your love for our Incarnate
Lord fills you with all you need.
My Incarnate Lord, Your divine nature, united to Your human nature, transformed that humble cave near Bethlehem into a tabernacle filled with the most powerful bonds of pure love. Please draw me into that sacred scene and help me to share in the love in the Immaculate Heart of Your mother, as well as the human devotion of Your foster father, Joseph. May I find contentment and total fulfillment in life by seeing You and loving You in every way that You come to me. Jesus, I trust in You.
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