Babies are irresistible because of their innocence, vulnerability, and cuddliness. Seeing a newborn renews in us a sense of wonder at the miracle of life and awe that we are in the presence of something new and unique.
In her book Donkey Bells: Advent and Christmas, Catherine Doherty said, “You will catch your first glimpse of love on the straw of a stable. There He is, emptying Himself, the Lord of Hosts becoming—out of love for us—a child. In a cradle, in a crib, we see Love so small that we can pick it up. And we look at that cradle and we ask ourselves, ‘Why do I think that God does not love me? Here He is. How stupid of me!’ That is one of the healing processes of God—to draw us to a crib.”
Our churches and homes generally display creche sets during the Christmas season. They are so familiar that we may tend to treat them as a backdrop. Perhaps it is time to renew the ancient practice, started by St. Francis of Assisi, of using the image of Jesus lying in a manger as a prayer tool to let God draw us into his heart.
Thank you S. Jennifer for your blog about baby Jesus. I so love Catherine Doherty's books and spirituality. So simple yet so tangible.
ReplyDeleteI agree, S. Rejane; her reflections are simple but profound. I wish she was better known.
ReplyDeleteJennifer, maybe I have told you already...anyway, I have seen angels. When my husband was very ill and was in a special care room that had glass walls so we could see the patient and the caregiver, but not spread germs, I saw two men fully clothed in surgeons' garb, including masks, standing inside the glass walls as though ready to help if needed. I knew they were angels, and I glanced away for a second, but when I looked again they were gone. Perhaps they knew that they were no longer needed. But it was a vision I'll never forget.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this story, Betty. I'm glad you are sensitive to the presence of angels in your life. Christmas blessings!
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