The Nativity Story
Our personal encounter with God
By Bishop Jaime Soto
In the Christmas saga of salvation, we meet an array of individuals: the innkeepers of Bethlehem, shepherds in the field, the magi from the East, King Herod and, of course, Mary and her husband, Joseph. To each of them came the unexpected visitation of the divine.
From hindsight we either marvel or moan over the response of each. How could the innkeepers of Bethlehem slam the door on the expectant mother of salvation during that cold winter’s night? What dark ambitions so embittered Herod’s heart to wickedly will the death of the innocent of Bethlehem? What did the shepherds say as they approached the humble family huddled around the manger? How did the Magi communicate their joyful amazement as they approached the startled young mother hugging close her infant child? Through it all, in what words and ways did Joseph and Mary support and care for one another as they nurtured the Wonder born to them?
We benefit from the insights and reflections of the attentive evangelists who recount to us these Nativity narratives. We also inherit the wealthy wisdom of those who, following the example of Mary, have pondered these mysteries in their hearts and have unfolded through the ages the marvel of God’s saving intervention.
The Catholic influence on the culture is most evident in these days. Most of what is eloquent, beautiful, insightful and joyful during these festive days comes from the traditional Catholic celebration of the Incarnation: “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father's only Son, full of grace and truth.” (John: 1:14)
Everything from the Christmas tree, the Christmas crèche, the giving of gifts, and the “Twelve Days of Christmas” all came to us from the persistent Catholic fascination that seeks to peer more profoundly upon the child wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger (Luke: 2:7).
While there is much to nourish and animate us from this bountiful tradition of Catholic meditation upon the Incarnational mystery, we can become so distracted by the pious embellishments that we neglect that simple humanity which inspires centuries of amazement.
At the heart of Nativity story is the personal encounter with God. The shepherds, the Magi, Joseph, and most especially Mary all had the unexpected personal opportunity to meet God. Their response is as much a part of salvation history as the Almighty God’s own initiative. Their personal decisions and their own eager docility to God’s grace open the way for God’s grace to erupt into history in a marvelously humble yet awesome way. This does not demean God’s grandeur. It extols the power of God’s mercy that would allow us to correspond in a humble measure to his wondrous love.
The Divine Office of the Church on Dec. 20 in the Office of Readings offers the reflection of St. Bernard of Clairvaux, which beautifully convey how fragile while marvelous is this collaboration of human desire with divine will:
“You have heard, O Virgin, that you will conceive and bear a son; you have heard that it will not be by man but by the Holy Spirit. The angel awaits an answer; it is time for him to return to God who sent him. We too are waiting, O Lady, for your word of compassion; the sentence of condemnation weighs heavily upon us.… Tearful Adam with is sorrowing family begs this of you, O loving Virgin, in their exile from paradise. Abraham begs it, David begs it. All the other holy patriarchs, your ancestors, ask it of you, as they dwell in the shadow of death. This is what the whole earth waits for, prostrate at your feet.… Answer quickly, O Virgin.” (Bernard of Clairvaux)
We all know how generous the response was of the humble virgin of Nazareth. We rejoice because she eagerly joined with God in the extraordinary adventure that would bring salvation close at hand for all of us. We honor her and save ourselves when we take our place among the shepherds, the Magi, and the countless generations of disciples who say, “May it be done to me according to your word.” (Luke: 1:38)
Merry Christmas.
