+JMJ
Happy New Year, my Friends! I pray the Lord has blessed you abundantly in this Christmas Season into the New Year!
I am really trying to celebrate the full Christmas Season this year. It is so easy to feel like Christmas is over because it is for the secular world. But as Catholics we celebrate Christmas well after December 25th (Ahem… February 2: Candlemas).
Therefore, I think it is still fitting to share a contemplation from the Nativity, where the Lord showed me I am never left out and I can always encounter Him in the stable.
The Nativity
And it came to pass, that is those days there went out to decree from Cesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled.
This enrolling was first made by Cyrinus the governor of Syria l. And All went to be enrolled one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; because he was of the house and family of David, to be enrolled with Mary his espoused wife, who was with a child.
And it came to pass that when they were there, her days were accomplished, that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son and wrapped Him up in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were in the same country Shepherds watching and keeping the night watches over their flock. And behold an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the brightness of God shown around them and they feared with a great fear.And the angel said to them, “Fear not for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy that shall be to all the people. For this day is born to you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord, in the city of David. And this shall be a sign onto you you should find the infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army, praising God and saying, “glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to men of good will.”
And it came to pass, after the angels departed from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem, and let us see this word that is come to pass, which the Lord hath shewed to us.”
And they came with haste, and they found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger.
-Luke 2:1-16
My Contemplation
I approach the stable and a pale light emits through the partially open door. My heart longs to enter, but my mind doubts. “Will I be admitted? Is there room for me?”
I knock ever so quietly, half hoping no one hears it, but my soft knock is heard, and St. Joseph swings the door open wide. I am struck immediately by the warmth spilling out of the barn. It hits me like a wave and is so inviting after standing out in the cold. St. Joseph ushers me in with a friendly smile, and the barn is indeed packed full of animals and shepherds. But even with all the creatures there is no squabbling, arguing, or agitation. All the animals and people are at peace with each other.
I can see our Lady seated in the middle of the barn with the manger before her. I try to see inside the manger, but several animals block my view. I long to look inside to see what all the other creatures in the barn can see and feel a slight disappointment that I cannot.
My Lady hears the call of my heart, and she glances ever so sweetly up at St. Joseph, and he carefully ushers me through the crowd of animals and shepherd towards the manger. There is one spot left, just for me, at the feet of Mary right next to the manger. I sit down in that spot, so close to the Holy Mother, who encourages me to peer into the manger. I fold my arms upon the edge and rest my chin upon them to gaze upon my sweet precious Lord sound asleep in the manger.
And what peace fills may soul in gazing at my sweet precious Lord asleep in the manger!
He blessed me at a time when I was feeling really lonely, forgotten, and left in the cold. It is easy to think that it will always be that way. That I am locked out of joy, warmth, and love. But the Lord shows me here how much He longs for me to be so close to Him. That He wants me to encounter Him in that lonely, forgotten, cold place. It was proof to me that He always knows what I need in every way.
Remember my friends, that we are ALWAYS invited into the stable! To encounter His unending love for you!
Thrive in Jesus, my Friends!
How have you encounter the Lord this Christmas Season? Leave a comment and let me know!
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