Stand Before the Manger

As we join together in the celebration of Holy Mass at midnight on Christmas Eve, or in the morning hours of Christmas Day we will have an opportunity, either before Mass or in the moments following, to approach the Manger within our parish churches and spend a few moments there in contemplation and prayer.  These moments are truly blessed ones, especially knowing that the Manger will only be with us for a short time and then the Church liturgical seasons will quickly move on to other events within the life of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 

Precious little time of the liturgical year is spent on the moments surrounding the Nativity of our Lord, as we reflect on the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus, and the Infancy Narratives of the Gospels of Matthew and Luke.  Because of this we must take every opportunity to allow ourselves to be fully present as we stand before the Manger and contemplate the great mystery that we partake in each year at this time.  The Christ Child born in the Manger is an expression of God’s love for His people and in particular His love for each and every one of us, a precious child of God.

This attitude or love and adoration was shown by the shepherds that gathered that holy night and following the tradition of our Church in honoring the humble shepherds, we too are called to join them in worshiping and adoring the Savior.

“While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her Child.  And she gave birth to her firstborn Son and wrapped Him in bands of cloth, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.”

“In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.  Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see – I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, Who is the Messiah, the Lord.  This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.’  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom He favors.’” (Luke 2:6-14)

So much of our daily lives can be considered like those of the shepherds.  We go about our daily work.  While it may not be in the fields as shepherds, it is certainly a significant but necessary portion of our lives.  Like the shepherds too, in our daily lives we are surrounded by those who accompany us on our daily journey.  These are first and foremost our families, but also our friends, our parishioners and others with whom we share our daily lives. 

But once again, just like the shepherds, God breaks into every aspect of our lives and calls us to the manger.  ‘Christ is born; God is born’ and we are called to once again come and witness God’s hand breaking into our lives and our world through the birth of His Son, Jesus.  We come to the Manger like the shepherds did, but we realize even more the great import of these events.  We know that this is truly ‘Good News’ for all the world to hear. 

As we spend a few moments contemplating the great love of God in sending His Son Jesus to earth, we are also reminded that His birth occurs ‘for us and for our salvation.’  This birth begins the process, set forth from the foundation of the world, for our being eternally united to Jesus.  For this reason it is never enough just to stand at the Manger.  But rather our moments at the Manger should lead us to worship Almighty God in the celebration of the Holy Eucharist.  It should lead us to receive our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, still present to us in the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar.  It should lead to a transformation in our lives which will allow us to once again be like the shepherds who “returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen.” (Luke 2:20)

Through all of this we are to contemplate the great love of God expressed in this precious gift of His Son.  “But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to His mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.  This Spirit He poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by His grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.  This saying is sure.” (Titus 3:4-8a)

St. Paul’s letter to Titus puts it so plainly, there is nothing we have done, or could have done to deserve this gracious gift from God, but He has given it to us anyway.  God has given us His Son, Jesus Christ, born as this Child of Bethlehem.

In the face of so great a gift, the only response is to say thank you.  Let’s strive to have this Christmas season be an entire thank you to Almighty God for the great things that He has done in sending His Son to us and the great things that continue to be done in His name.  Let your time spent in worship be a thank you to God; let your work together within your parish be a thank you to God; let your life of prayer and service to others be a thank you to God.  Let your whole life be a thank you for the great gift God has given to each and every one of you, each and every one of us, in the Incarnation of Jesus Christ, His Son.

During this season of Love and Hope I extend to the bishops, priests, deacons and all members of the Church, my blessings for a Christmas filled with joy at the birth of Christ and peace with each other and with all.  May the peace and blessings of Almighty God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit remain with you all in this season of the Nativity and throughout the whole of the New Year.

Stand at the Manger this Christmas and be aware of the great gift of God that you have received in Christ Jesus, our Lord.  And let us then go about our lives “glorifying and praising God for what we have heard and seen.”  Let love shown in this Nativity change you to more fully reflect the love of God in your hearts, minds and lives.