Christmas Eve
I have wondered this week while reading the daily scripture if Mary and Joseph were nervous. I know how I felt when I was expecting our kids. I know how hopeful, anxious, and excited we were for this life changing event. I know they both had tremendous faith in God and were hopeful about each other. Can you imagine believing in something with all of your heart and soul? Not knowing how it is going to work out. Mary was so young and faithful. This unblinding faith is one of the reasons Advent is so hopeful.
Mary and Joseph show us how to follow God's word without question even in extremely trying circumstances. This new young couple was expecting a child. They were traveling and I'm guessing Mary was extremely uncomfortable riding on a donkey. Then throw in the fact that they had nowhere to stay in Bethlehem. Even with the angel Gabriel's explanation of the Holy Spirit in Mary, she would have been scared. She and Joseph end up in a barn and deliver their baby and place him in a manger. As we know, a manger is the trough that is elevated off the ground and filled with feed, hay/straw for the animals. This is not the most ideal place to deliver a baby. However, the symbolism is profound. Animals receive their nutrients from the food in the manger. The farmer or shepherd would want his animals to be well fed and taken care of. We receive the bread of life every time we receive Jesus at Mass. He nourishes our souls. God wants his people fed and cared for which is why he sent his only son in human form to die for our sins. He was not born to parents with money or power. He was born to parents with faith. Unquestionable faith.
I hope and pray every day that we can all have the kind of faith Mary and Joseph had. They didn't know what the future had in store for them, but they trusted in God and his word. Mary, Joseph, and Jesus are gifts to all of us. They were plain people who trusted in a higher power. They bore a perfect child to lead us to Heaven by following his words. Thank God Mary and Joseph were willing to receive what God wanted for us all. Celebrate the birth of Christ. Celebrate the faith of his parents. Celebrate the gift we all receive which is the promise of Heaven. Merry Christmas.
