What is the significance of the Nativity?
Catechism Meditation:
Jesus was born in a humble stable, into a poor family. Simple shepherds were the first witnesses to this event. In this poverty heaven’s glory was made manifest. The Church never tires of singing the glory of this night: The Virgin today brings into the world the Eternal and the earth offers a cave to the Inaccessible. The angels and shepherds praise him and the magi advance with the star, for you are born for us, Little Child, God eternal! ―No. 525
REFLECTION. A Christmas nativity is probably one of the most recognizable symbols of the Christmas season. The word nativity is taken from the Latin nativus, which means “arisen by birth.” Nativities are art, models, carvings, or live demonstrations depicting the night of Jesus’ birth. These scenes generally contain the same elements: the Christ child in a manger; His mother, Mary; His earthly father, Joseph; shepherds; angels; various barn animals; and three wise men (also known as the magi). The birth of Jesus—Emmanuel, God with us—fulfills the message of God’s presence and humility.
In his book, The Life of All Living, Fulton Sheen describes the Nativity of Jesus Christ… One night there went out over the stillness of the evening breeze, out over the chalky hills of Bethlehem, the cry of a new born babe. “The Word became flesh and dwelt amongst us.” Earth did not hear the cry, for the earth slept; men did not hear the cry, for they did not know that a Child could be greater than a man; kings did not hear the cry; for they did not know that a King could be born in a stable; empires did not hear the cry, for empires did not know that an Infant could hold the reins that steer suns and worlds in their courses. But shepherds and philosophers heard the cry, for only the very simple and the very learned know that the heart of a God can cry out in the cry of a Child. And they came with gifts―and adored, and so great was the majesty seated on the brow of the Child, so great was the dignity of the babe, so powerful was the light of these eyes that shone like celestial suns, that they could not help but cry out: “Emmanuel: God is with us.”
The Newborn Christ is not found where we expect him to be, nor does his birth conform to any script we would design. We don’t find the know-it-alls at the Nativity scene. Only the humble are there. Humility: that’s what we should learn from the shepherds and the magi. That’s their “entrance ticket” to the Nativity scene. That’s also what is required of us if we want to approach the baby Jesus. As Pope Francis put it, “This is the lesson of Christmas: humility is the great condition for faith, for the spiritual life and for holiness. May the Lord grant it to us as a gift.”
As we enter the New Year, let us strive to imitate this humility that will give us the freedom to trust our lives to the guidance of God.
PRAYER. Lord, grant me a humble heart. Help me set aside pride and self-interest, embracing simplicity, gratitude, and service. May I reflect Christ’s example in my actions and relationships, showing compassion and kindness to others. Let humility guide me this season, strengthening my faith and glorifying Your name.
Timeless Wisdom Quote:
“Divinity is so profound that it can be grasped only by the extremes of simplicity and wisdom. There is something in common between the wise and the simple, and that is humility.” ― Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen