A Nativity Scene

A Rosary Meditation: The Third Joyful Mystery, The Nativity.

“And she laid him in manger … ” Luke 2:7.

Think about these few simple words, about the nature of Christ, and we’ll try to grasp just a little of what this means. Or can mean.

How did the Babe react to being placed in a manger? We aren’t told, but if we know something of Jesus’ nature, from study or personal experience or from whatever inner or outer source, we can imagine. I think, and this is just my thought, that he was peaceful, calm. The Creator of Heaven and earth, Author of Life, THE Perfect Being deserving of … He’s beyond deserving isn’t he? As though he lacks something and needs someone to supply him with fill-in-the-blank because he’s worthy. He is by nature eternally worthy whether we ever know it or not, and we can’t really give him anything he doesn’t already have. With the exception of a childlike heart, our heart, given by us to him. And here he is placed in a rough hewn box of sorts. But I see him reacting peacefully. Why shouldn’t he? What, really, could ever threaten him? Would he lose his self confidence because he was being treated as less than what he was? Of course not. That sort of reaction would more likely pertain to us, but not to him.

We are told that we must become like little children in order to enter into Heaven. We need to be innocent, joyful, trusting. Which means that we set the wrong kinds of ego and fear aside along with hardheartedness. And we can. With his help. When we’re laid in a manger of rough wood, when life becomes uncomfortable, we remain calm. Because we know he’s there in that “manger” with us. After all, is there any place, any set of circumstances when and where he isn’t with us?

“And said: Amen I say to you, unless you be converted, and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3, Douay-Rheims.

Just a thought … Accepting crosses is a part of our existence as followers of Christ. It takes a real Christan to carry a cross. And it takes a child-like heart to be content with rough hewn mangers.

Sorry, but Dr. Dolittle loses hands down

A Rosary Meditation: The Third Joyful Mystery, The Nativity.

“The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master’ s crib … “, Isaiah 1:3a.

A few hundred years ago the majority of theologians believed the above scripture was a reference to the animals that were present in the stable at the birth of Jesus. I’m not sure what the reasoning was although I’m sure the second half of the verse (feel free to look it up) along with the reception Christ received from Israel had something to do with it. And I’m not sure exactly what changed in theological circles but the consensus now is that it doesn’t refer to the stable at the birth of Jesus. Well, we’re not dealing with dogma here so I suppose its safe to pick either if someone cares to pick at all. In a lot of things I tend to favor the old guys from days gone by, being one myself and all. (Old guy that is.) So I believe, honestly, that it does reference the animals in the stable. And even if it doesn’t, humor me and consider the following …

Animals are far from stupid. My cats all know what things like “Its OK” and “You did a good job” mean. People who study animals, folks like animal psychologists and such, will tell you, for example, that an average cat will learn the meaning of about 30 or so words while a dog on the other hand learns about 200. Being the cat person that I am, and with all due respect to dogs and dog lovers ’cause I think a great deal of both, I consider their understanding of 30 words (the cats) and 200 words (the puppies) a clear indication of the cats superior intellect. I mean think about it. A cat can express itself with only 30 words while it takes the dog 200 to get the same idea across. Baring the possibility that dogs are just long winded, well, I rest my case.

In the Psalms we’re told: “Let everything that has breath give praise to the LORD! Hallelujah!” Psalm 150:6, New American Bible. Its hard for me to believe God would say something like that and not mean it. So? So it means that everything that has breath has the capacity and capability to praise God. And given this verse the obligation as well.

All of nature sings praise to God. When birds chirp, when dolphins squeal, when rhinos grunt, what are they saying, really? Lots of scientists believe animals possess language of some sort. So what do they talk about? Wouldn’t it be a marvelous turn of events if scientists were able to crack, oh, lets say the language of dolphins and hear this …

“All praise and honor to our Creator Jesus Christ, the Lord God Almighty!”

Now think about the animals there with Mary and Joseph that first Christmas night. Remember the old story about the animals being given the ability to speak at Christmas time? Maybe there’s more to that than we’ve thought. However they may have done it, aloud or silently to themselves, what did they say? What would you have said? What do you say now?

“But had a check of his madness, the dumb beast used to the yoke, which speaking with man’s voice, forbade the folly of the prophet.” 2 Peter 2:16, Douay-Rheims.

Just a thought … You know, if you believe what you read in the kids story book, old Dr. Dolittle had a lot going for himself. Personally I think those theologians of a few centuries back had even more on the ball. But when it comes to the Nativity, the birth of Jesus, the Christ Child in the manger, its praise from the heart that really counts, isn’t it?

Jesus laughs … Monday, January 14

Laughing Jesus (Photo credit: greaterumbrage)

A Rosary Meditation … The Third Joyful Mystery, the Nativity. “And she laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” Luke 2:7. I’ve heard that the wood of the manger prefigured that of the cross. I can see that. But there are times when its better to dwell on the more pleasant aspects of life. Oh, the others, the unpleasant things, can’t be forgotten. But there’s a time and place for everything. I have a small picture of “The Laughing Christ” above the head of my bed. He laughed, I know He did. How do I know? Think about the guys He hung out with. I just can’t see anybody being around Peter on a regular basis with him sticking his foot in his mouth on an even more regular basis and being able to hold in the laughter. Jesus is, after all, just like us in every way but sin. Being human, and He is, He no doubt takes after His parents, Mary His mother and Joseph His foster-father. Being human I know they laughed. And I think about the manger, the safe delivery, the nosy animals peeking over the stacks of hay, the shepherds asking if they could come in, and a new Baby. 🙂 Joy and laughter. Not only had Messiah arrived but there was a new Baby! That’s enough. It’s enough to know that joy is permissible, and that my Jesus laughs.

Today … St. Felix. “A Roman priest of whom nothing is known.” Well, that’s what it said when I looked him up. Oh, give me a break here. Of whom nothing is known? The name Felix means happy. Ah, now we’re well on our way to knowing something.  St. Felix, a Roman priest of whom these things are known: Happy to know Jesus, happy to administer the sacraments, happy at seeing conversions, happy in prayer, happy with bird-song brought to him on a cool breeze, happy with good food and drink, happy with sunshine, happy with needed rain, happy when holding a new baby as he baptized it. Happy enough in following the Christ to laugh with Him.

Pity … Pity the people who can’t laugh while holding a new baby because it was sacrificed so that they could live their lives “free” and to the “fullest”, with all the slavery to self and the emptiness of heart the world holds out to people with its false promises. The “fulfillment” that abortion brings.

Christmas

The angel told Mary not to be afraid …

The angel told Joseph not to be afraid …

God is love.

Perfect love casts out all fear.

Only God is perfect, therefore only God’s love is perfect.

God knows no fear, therefore it is my fear that is cast out by His love.

We love God because He loved us first.

How do I allow His Love to cast out my fear?

I allow His love to cast out my fear by accepting it.

How do I accept His love into my heart so that the fear is cast out?

By opening the door of my heart and letting Him in.

Behold, He stands at the door of my heart and knocks.

Welcome. Welcome Jesus. Welcome to conversion. Welcome to the Eucharist.

Welcome to the manger and the Babe.

“Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord.” Like 2:10-11.

MARY CHRIST MASS! 🙂