Let's take a look at some of the characters that accompanied the birth at that time, and see if any of them identify with us.
By Fr. Dennis Doren, LC
How is your heart ready to receive Jesus in a few days, do you already have everything you need to welcome the King of Kings who is about to come?
A text from the martyrology left stamped the following words, signifying the importance of the event: “Many centuries having elapsed since God created heaven and earth, and since He made man in His image and likeness; many centuries having likewise elapsed since the flood ceased and the Most High made the rainbow appear as a token of covenant and peace; twenty-one centuries after the birth of Abraham, our father; thirteen centuries after Israel came out of Egypt, led by Moses; nearly a thousand years after David was anointed king; during the sixty-fifth week of Daniel's prophecy; in the time of the one hundred and ninety-fifth Olympiad; in the seven hundred and fifty-second year of the foundation of Rome; in the forty-second year of the empire of Caesar Octavian Augustus; and in the sixth age of the world, while peace reigned throughout the world; Jesus Christ, eternal God and Son of the eternal Father, wishing to consecrate the world by his holy coming, was conceived by the Holy Spirit and, after nine months, was born in Bethlehem of Judah of the Virgin Mary as a true man (Text that appears in the Martyrology).
Let us put on our diving suit and try to penetrate a little more into this mystery of love, of light, of forgiveness and mercy, of happiness, of joy, of humility, of joy, of silence. Let us put our souls on our knees before the cradle of Bethlehem and let us contemplate, let us adore, let us love the God who becomes flesh and, above all, let us thank God for his feat of love. Let us look at some of the characters that accompanied the birth at that moment, and see if any of them can identify with us.
JOHN THE BAPTISTHe preaches, shouts, corrects, admonishes, considers himself an instrument, “I am not the light, but a witness of the light”. When he is asked, ”Are you the Messiah," he answers "NO". I am the voice crying in the wilderness, make straight the way of the Lord", words he takes from the prophet Isaiah himself. He knows that his mission is to prepare the way, but he always leaves the protagonism to Christ who is to come... How many times do we want to be the protagonists of the story of our lives and we leave God aside?
MARYIt is her example of availability, of joy, in a home and work environment, in an atmosphere of purity, she is full of grace, thus receiving God in her womb. We are impressed by her faith, her humility, her unlimited trust in God. A woman full of hope. This is how she prepares herself and sets out on the road to Bethlehem.
JOSEHe prepares himself from an uncertainty: to welcome or not to welcome Mary, but available and attentive to God's message through the dream he receives of welcoming Mary as his bride. He prepares from the virtues of sobriety, honesty and justice, so characteristic of him, with these virtues he accompanies Mary to the cave.
ZECHARIAH AND ISABELFrom the maturity of life, in old age, they experience the power of God, the strength of God and that nothing is impossible for Him.
SIMEON AND ANAThey live this preparation close to the sanctuary, from the temple, they prepare themselves among the sacred, among the hidden presence of God, among sacrifices and worship. They were prepared.
THE MAGI: They receive the mission to find the King who has been born, they are guided by a star, between darkness and light, they walk, they risk their lives, but they have a goal to reach, the star guides them, they are not discouraged, finally after a long adventure they arrive at the grotto and meet the Child and adore him.
THE INHABITANTS OF JERUSALEM: Jerusalem was not prepared, that is why the Messiah passed by, he did not want to be born in a city so hectic and noisy, this is the consumerist Jerusalem, eager to sell their chatter, their animals for the sacrifices, worried about their purchases, here many have stayed, it is a city distracted from the main thing. It was only a place of passage, and how many enchanted by its tinsel have stayed forever. Thus we regret the use of the «truth of Christmas in only one direction», that is to say, «that of consumption», this manipulation of a purely consumer society, increases more and makes us stay there and only there.
KING HEROD'S PALACE: Palace of selfishness, he was afraid of a child, and had him killed, it is the monument to his own Ego and his own interests, where, seeing himself in danger, he determines the death of all, even of the innocent... Two kings cannot coexist in the same kingdom, it is either him or me, and as I like to run my own things, it is better for him to die. Thus we kill God from our life and from any possibility of redemption. Herod, He wants to be the light, many remain in this palace of selfishness...
The SANEDRIN: The wise, the intellectuals, those who knew everything, they knew the prophecy, they were aware of what the scriptures indicated, they knew of the place, but they did nothing to go, they remained in their science, without faith. In their preparation, but they did not have the spiritual motivation to set out, they were not really interested, for they lived quietly and well where they were. Their rational knowledge was complete, but they lacked to carry it in their hearts.
Now it's your turn, where are you and who do you identify with? You may ask me, but the little shepherds were missing, I wanted to leave them for the end, thinking of you and me. So that we may be like them, because they represent the majority of us, who in the silence of the night are vigilant, attentive and fulfilling our tasks. The Lord in his coming expects to find us working, in watchful expectation, about to arrive. Remember, you too are part of this story, do not forget.
