Christmas - The Birth of Jesus

What was the very first Christmas like? And what does Christmas mean for us today?

Joseph and Mary traveled from Nazareth to Bethlehem for the required census. Most likely a donkey carried the Virgin Mary, who was 9 months pregnant. Perhaps they stopped and rested now and then allowing the donkey to eat and drink water by a stream.

As they rested, Mary felt the unborn Jesus move inside Her womb. Joseph was tense because he knew traveling would be difficult for Mary. If the babe was to be born, he wanted to provide a warm comfortable place, worthy of the King of heaven. But, it was not in God’s plan.

They finally arrived in Bethlehem, on that cold winter night, going from door to door, looking for a place to stay. Knowing full well, it was time for the infant Jesus to be born, they trusted God would provide a place where the Child would come into the world. Where would it be? Would it be in an Inn, would it be in a stranger’s home, would anyone have pity on a young woman, about to give birth?

Mary and Joseph were disheartened by so many who refused to allow them stay the night. Bethlehem was filled with travelers who came home for the census. All Mary and Joseph wanted was a dry warm place for the arrival of the baby Jesus, but where?

As the sun disappeared, and stars began to shine, darkness covered the little town of Bethlehem. Finally, a maid servant pointed the couple to a cave with animals. At least it was dry and out of the cold wind.

There in the cave--- were animals, an ox, a cow and a few sheep. It smelled of hay and animal manure.

Joseph removed the animal waste and cleaned the floor of the cave. He put clean straw in the manger used as a crib. He found wood for a fire and warmth was felt by Mary as She prayed near the flames. She knew it was time.

Just as Joseph went to get fresh water and was but a stone’s throw from the cave, suddenly, Mary laid down on her blanket and within a few moments, the Virgin Mary gave birth to baby Jesus in a miraculous manner without labor pains. Suddenly light filled the cave as the dawn from on high broke, to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.

Despite the fact, Mary had wrapped Him in swaddling clothes. The coldness of the night caused the newborn baby Jesus to shiver and His breath could be seen.

Why does the whole world celebrate the birth of the baby Jesus in a cave with animals over 2000 years ago?

The words of the angel help us to know why the birth of Jesus was so important. He said, “Be not afraid; for behold, I bring to you good news of great joy which will come to all the people; for you is born in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”

The angel had told Mary and Joseph, that the Child of Jesus is to receive the name of Jesus, means “savior”. We celebrate his birth because the world’s savior was born. Jesus came to save us from our sins, to reconcile the world to the Father, to give us an intimate relationship with God. Before Jesus came no one could go to heaven. But now since the Savior has come, sins can be forgiven, the gates of heaven are opened. His birth would eventually lead to His death on the Cross. And by His Cross we are set free from the yoke of sin.

Jesus is Lord, which means He rules over us. He is Christ which means He is the long awaited messiah, the anointed one, who came to restore mankind back to God after the fall of Adam and Eve.

Moses had always wanted to see God’s face, but could not. The prophets of the Old Testament predicted that someday His face would shine upon us. Now, Mary and Joseph were the first to see the face of God. Imagine what it would be like for Mary, for the very first time, to hold the baby Jesus in Her arms and gaze on His face. For months, She felt Him move inside Her. Every now and then, He would kick within Her womb. But, now She can see Him, hold Him, hug Him, kiss Him and talk to Him face to face.

In your meditation on the birth of Jesus, picture yourself in the cave and watching everything happen.

In the corner of the cave, you are seated on a bale of hay, and because its cold, you are wrapped in a blanket trying to stay warm. Then the Virgin Mary stands up carrying the infant Jesus in a blanket and walks over to you. To your astonishment, with outstretched hands, She hands you the Child. You hold the baby Jesus to your chest, and as you gaze upon His face, He smiles at you, but He shivers due to the cold. What do you say to Him?

“O, Jesus, You cause the sun, the moon and the stars to move across the sky. You make the sun to rise and set and the moon to wane and wax. In the spring, you make flowers and fields bloom and grow. You are all-powerful. Almighty. All holy. All knowing. All Glorious. Pure love. You are infinite in every way. And yet, you take the form of an innocent child, who can’t walk, talk or eat without help. You hide your divinity, under the appearance of a baby, just as you hide under the appearance of bread in the Eucharist. You don’t look like God, but you are. You are fully God and fully man.

When Mary and Joseph carry you from place to place, You submit to their human daily activities, and yet, You created the ground they walked on. You placed water beneath the surface of the earth, so wells could be dug and animals can be nourished and humans can drink and have their clothes washed. In Your humility, you walked about looking only like a man. You allowed humans, whom You created, to persecute You, to cause You pain and suffering and even Your death. You humbled Yourself to carry a Cross. Because You are God, you could have avoided being spat upon, slapped, blind-folded, scourged and crowned with thorns. Knowing all that would happen, You could prevented everything and destroyed those who were going hurt You. But, You chose to show us the meaning of love, forgiveness and peace by your willingness to do endure Your Passion and death.

You obeyed Your Father, who sent you to be spread the good news, and die for it. The tree from which You hung on Good Friday, You created. Millions of years before the stone carved from the side of a hill was used to make your grave, you foresaw it would be used as your tomb.

You came into the world in poverty and humility. You showed us it’s not necessary to have material things, but that we should use them to help others and for us to obtain to heaven.

O Jesus, you were born in the city of Bethlehem, which means, House of Bread. You are the true Bread from Heaven, who came down to give life to the world. As a babe, You were placed in a manger, used to feed animals. Today, you hide yourself in what appears to be bread, and during Mass, it becomes the true and real Bread of Life in the Eucharist to spiritually feed us.

By your humility and hiddeness, You teach us, all worldly things pass away and we should rejoice and be glad, that You came to save us and bring us to our true eternal home in heaven.

I love you baby Jesus. I worship You. I adore You, whom the angels adore in heaven. I beg You, open up your little hand and stretch it forth-- to bless the world bestowing on it peace, end all violence, stop all wars, console the sorrowing. Help families and friends and enemies to forgive and love each other. When anyone sees Your little face, melt their hearts to accept You, as their personal friend and Savior. May those same hearts grow in empathy and compassion for the poor, the downtrodden, the sick, and the lonely.

Shed your light into the darkness of our hearts. Move us to love, to help others, to see you in everyone and in every place. May those who struggle with health be healed. Those who walk in darkness, see the light of your love and mercy. May those caught in the snares of sin, be delivered, by the tenderness of Your mercy, O loving Savior.

May Your holy Name, the name of Jesus, the name which is above every name, be always on my lips and in my Heart. May I call upon you in times of turmoil, sadness and in every need. Stay within my heart and keep me from from sinning.

O Jesus, lover of mankind, may the whole world kneel before the manger and be touched by Your love. May you, O Jesus, your Mother Mary, and your stepfather Joseph, make all families a place of peace, joy, and love and may the whole world rejoice in Your birth and sing with the angels, “Glory to God in the highest and peace to His people on earth. Amen.”