Meditation on the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ
We celebrate with utmost joy the birth of our
Lord Jesus Christ. We recall that solemn moment in human history when God took
flesh and dwelt among us. This celebration offers us a special opportunity to
welcome Him anew with renewed hearts, and deepen our love for Him. The mystery
of His birth is hidden and also shines out in the events through which it
was communicated.
At that time, Caesar Augustus issued a decree
for a census. Joseph took Mary and travelled from Nazareth in Galilee to his
home town of Bethlehem in Judea. As Mary entered labour, Joseph could not find
a room in a place he called his home. Whenever we ‘decorate’ this earthly life
as our ‘home’, it becomes difficult to have ‘room’ to welcome Jesus. “He came
to His own, yet His own people did not receive Him; but to all who received Him, He
empowers to become Children of God, for they believed in His name (Jn 1:11-12).
Mary gave birth to Jesus and wrapped Him in swaddling cloth and laid Him in a
manger (Lk 2:6-7). The lowly birth of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords shook
heaven and earth as Angels descended. In the midst of the clamour and complexity
of our lives, Jesus needs a little ‘manger-space’ to enter. If we understand
this, we can begin to wind down the uproar within and remodel our hearts like
the simple manger that tenders the Baby Jesus.
It all happened in Bethlehem-Ephrathah, a little
hill town in Judah. Jacob blessed his son Judah, saying, “The sceptre shall not
be taken from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet...” (Gen
49:8-12). Another name for Bethlehem is “Ephrath” (Gen 35:16-20). “Ephrath”
means ‘fruitfulness”. Though the town is the smallest among the clans of Judah,
it is called, ‘Bethlehem Ephrata’, which means it is the 'fruitful Bethlehem' (Micah
5:1-2). “The earth has yielded its fruit; for God, our God has blessed us” (Ps
67:6). Bethlehem was the city of David, the little shepherd boy whom God
anointed to become the great King (1 Sam 16:1). Joseph the simple carpenter
from the lineage of David became the foster Father, through whom Jesus is
called The Son of David. We rejoice and meditate on how God puts down the mighty
from their thrones, and lifts up the lowly.
The darkness of the night received the Light of
the World; the lowliness of the manger haboured the exalted King. The silence of the
night echoed the Angelic chorus, and the loneliness of Mary and Joseph was
flooded with faithful visitors. He who was rejected at the Inn became the most
sought for as shepherds squat around the manger. God is with us! Human history
now bears witness to divine presence. Now strength can germinate from weakness;
courage stands up from fear. Our silence speaks; and human loneliness and
rejection is flooded with divine warmth. The beauty of Christmas sneaks in the
silence of our lowly hearts with its bundle of joy that settles therein like
the tender Baby Jesus in the manger! The joy of Christmas uplifts us. “Glory to
God in the highest, and on earth peace amongst men with whom He is pleased!” (Lk
2:14). Amen.
Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic
Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Friday 25th December,
2020.
Solemnity of the Nativity of the
Lord.
