A Lesson in Humility
For some buying gifts is fun and for others receiving gifts is even better, but Jesus’ birthday—that day some 2000 years ago was not about giving and receiving gifts. That day in the silence of the night, He was born to Mary by the grace of the Holy Spirit in the presence of Joseph and the animals in the manger. There were no fancy things around them, only animals, hay, dirt, and a stable. Mary and Joseph did not buy the most expensive baby stuff that modern people get for the birth of a child. There was no crib or changing table, no rocking chair or expensive clothes for Baby Jesus. He was swaddled in a piece cloth. His “crib” was stuffed with hay.
Jesus was born in the most humble place to the most humble people. Both parents did not shop at Macy’s for expensive clothes to wear that special day. They only had what they were wearing. There was no Christmas tree or decorative holiday pieces. From the materialistic perspective, that day the King of Kings came to the most humble of places, a place not worth of a King. Yet if you think about it, it was God’s will for His birth to be that way.
The Worst Trip Ever
Out of all times, it was a census year so Mary and Joseph had to travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem to be counted. Mary was close to her due date, but out of obedience they had to travel such a long distance. They couldn’t carry much because they only had a mule. Joseph probably walked all the way and Mary had to sit sideways on the mule—a very uncomfortable position for a women during the last days of her pregnancy—to prevent stressing herself. Mary and Joseph sacrificed themselves and suffered great exhaustion, maybe even hunger and thirst. Yet in their souls I imagined they were offering every bit of pain to the Lord and thanked Him for such joy that He had chosen them as the care givers of His Son here on earth.
When they got to Bethlehem, the city “hotels” were all occupied with travelers who were there for the same reason, the census. Mary and Joseph were rejected many times and finally because they probably begged the owner of a stable, he allowed them to stay. Many of us if faced with such a situation would probably burst out in frustration and contempt and blame God for our struggles. Yet they patiently endured the suffering and even thanked God for it. Their lives were emulsified in His Mercy and thus only wished to do His will.
“While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” ~ Luke 2:6-7
Finally they settled in the stable. Mary could have complained that the place was not good enough for her, much less worthy for a King, yet in her heart she rejoiced and worshipped the Lord for providing for them. Yes, at birth the Son of Man did not have the most expensive crib to rest upon. Yet He didn’t need these material luxuries, because He was born to the most humble, obedient, patient, loving, and good-willed hearts—those of Mary and Joseph.
Finding Your True Christmas
Thus today, I urge you, if you have not done so already, to prepare the most beautiful dwelling for the Lord—your heart. He doesn’t want expensive gifts or the biggest tree. What He asks of you is for your heart to be ready to enter in communion with Him on such a special day—His Birthday. Go to confession and offer sacrifice just like Mary and Joseph. Try to fast, not out of restraint, but with the hope of being more patient, obedient, humble, loving, helpful, and giving of yourself to others. Maybe you are one of those people who likes to be in control. Let God, during this beautiful time, take charge. Surrender your worries and preoccupations to Him. Perhaps you are a compulsive shopper. This Christmas cut back on the spending and instead give something that you can make yourself. Only you and God know whether your heart is ready to receive Him.
So I invite you to allow Him to inspire you to live a true Christmas this year.