Fr Trenton reflects on Nativity’s humanity
And the Word became flesh, dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)
What a scene we find in the Nativity! The Magnificence and Incarnation of Love, Joy, Salvation… and Life Itself, born into the midst of the world’s mess, into our mess.
Tradition holds that the depiction of the nativity in this way began in 1223 with Saint Francis of Assisi, who created the first live nativity scene in Greccio, Italy.
Saint Francis desired to help others and himself better understand the intimate, humble and vulnerable way God chose to save His people.
The idea quickly spread and, over time, nativity scenes continued to evolve, capturing imaginations as they portrayed the raw story of scripture, of the young, contemplative Virgin Mary, her spouse, Joseph, the angels, shepherds, Magi, and of course,, the Infant Jesus.
Allow yourself to be drawn into this mystery through the eyes and heart of Mary. Intrigued by the humanity of the Christmas crib, spend some time and contemplate all that is going on in an otherwise very ordinary scene. This certainly depicts something divine but, simultaneously, something remarkably human.
For when God comes to us, He comes in precisely this way. A way so accessible it seems impossible! God is born into our human mess, poverty and doubt.
Uncertainty, which is a word for our own time, was also a word for this family in their time. Theirs is a life story that does not go exactly how they had planned. It is a story of a young woman who conceives and bears a son before she is seen to be in an acceptable marriage in society and time.
It is the story of a family who had to bear one of the most devilish burdens, the burden of gossip, all the while carrying the hidden Mystery in her womb.
Theirs is the story of a young, anxious father who confronts scandal and threats to the life of his newly formed family, planning for an uncertain, unknown future! The story of a migrant family forced to flee and give birth in a cave. A remarkably human family, plunged into the thorns that greet you and I and our world today.
In the stillness of that night, Mary gazed upon her newborn Son and, filled with awe, reflected a deep desire to understand the mystery unfolding before her.
Stay a while with Mary and ponder the depth of this closeness. God has come near to you; your life is no longer foreign to Him.
May we, like Mary, allow our hearts to be filled with wonder, knowing that the Creator of the universe has come so close.
Let us rejoice because, amid the world’s uncertainty, poverty and pain, we now have a family, a Saviour, a future – a God who walks with us… and … never Loves from a Distance.
Thank you Fr Trenton. I find Nativity scenes always prompt a response – What is that? Who are those people? What are they doing? Why do you put it there? And they are just the questions from our grandchildren!! It is a wonderful opportunity to tell the story of Christmas and tweek their curiosity and interest.
Besides the infant Jesus, the figure of Mary is at the centre of the scene. As a child I did not realise how profound that is. But the place of this woman in the story of salvation is indeed profound. As a I grew older, I read the Magnificat, and what a revelation that was!
A woman who could be fully present in the wonder and intimacy of giving birth, with all its pain and mess, and also be aware of the wider impact that this Child would have on the world and the challenge He would present to the old ways of living – how amazing!
In our parish book club we read about Mary in terms of her Jewish life of faith – this added even further depth to my appreciation of this woman, Mary.
Happy Christmas to all readers!