“You will find a babe wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.’” (Luke 2:14).
When Saint Faustina experienced some of her visitations of Christ, He appeared to her as a Child.
When He first appeared to her in that form, she asked Him why He had decided to appear to her in that form, and He replied that He would appear to her in that form until she learned humility…
And I have been reflecting on that today. You see, the Creator of the Universe chose to become Incarnate of the Virgin and to become completely and utterly helpless. God Himself began as a single cell. And from there he spent nine long months inside His Mother’s womb developing into a Baby ready for birth. And He took that time to be born. And then He needed to be a Child and then an Adolescent and then an Adult.
And that decision took GREAT humility and GREAT patience…
And I have been reflecting on the Christmas journey today…
“Joseph went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to be delivered. And she gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. And in that region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, ‘Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a babe wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.’” (Luke 2:1-14).
Christ – God Himself was swaddled in a manager. His arms and legs were wrapped so tightly that He could not move. He could not clean Himself or feed Himself or change His own clothes. He could not move Himself around..
And I have been thinking about that humility…
Because that humility was for me…
Saint Josemaria said, “Make your way to Bethlehem, go up to the Child, take him in your arms and dance, say warm and tender things to him, press him close to your heart... I am not talking childish nonsense: I am speaking of love! And love is shown with deeds. In the intimacy of your soul, you can indeed hug him tight!”
And I have been thinking about that hug. Because it seems such a miracle to me today that I have a God who made Himself small enough for me to hug…
For with prayer, I stand on Holy Ground where everything is clear. Here. At the Foot of the Cross.