Does our devotion get consumed by mere pious routines? Setting up Christmas decorations, preparing seasonal recipes, welcoming Santa, and decorating the house with dazzling lighting schemes—is that all?
Christians are grafted onto the Body of Christ through the sacrament of Baptism, making us members of the Church and sharing His nature. Prayer and God hold a special place in our souls. That’s why we visit the house of God on special feast days to commune with God, renew our humanity in His presence, and experience His abundant grace.
Luke and Matthew narrate events related to a profound and awe-inspiring mystery using straightforward and easily understandable language. They avoid complex expressions and only present the information necessary for us to comprehend the occurrence of something beautiful. Their focus is on the pivotal aspects that reveal our salvation.
Matthew (1.18) narrates the birth of Jesus Christ with a straightforward and unassuming tone. Unlike other significant events, this sequence lacks the usual clamor and resounding noise. Instead, it describes an ordinary couple, obeying a ruler’s decree, embarking on a journey to their hometown to register for a census. Their trip coincides with the due date of Mary’s pregnancy, suggesting that she would have preferred to stay at home in Nazareth and prepare for childbirth.
Mary and Joseph were aware that this journey would not be an easy one. Mary had meticulously prepared for months, ensuring that the child had the necessary clothing and supplies. These items were carefully packed for their trip. Upon arriving in Bethlehem, Joseph searched for a suitable inn, but there was no room that could accommodate their needs. They were forced to improvise and found a manger for domestic animals to use as a crib for the newborn baby.
We are intimately connected to Baby Jesus through our Baptism, and through the power of this sacrament, we can today welcome Jesus into our homes, alongside Mary and Joseph. This way, Jesus will be born in our homes and come into our human nature to illuminate the path of righteousness within us and infuse life into all our thoughts and actions.
We could transform the nativity creche from a mere prop, evoking only sentimental joy, into an occasion that brings Baby Jesus to life in our homes. This would allow us to hear the first cry of this divine baby within our human nature, and let that first voice announce the eternal life of the Father’s kingdom.
