Don’t Judge a Manger by its Appearance

Luke 2:16-21 (Gospel Reading for the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God)

Even before the Christmas season began, there were many signs that made it obvious that it was coming. Christmas lights are hung, Christmas trees brought out and decorated, Christmas music playing on every radio station, and the list goes on. All the visuals made it blatantly clear that the special holiday season was upon us.

What isn’t made clear is that the greatest gift everyone receives is a King, the King above all Kings. Why? It’s simple. Jesus, the Son of God, was born as a baby boy in a lowly place, and laid in a manger, a feeding trough for cows and horses. Not the first image I would think of when I think of royalty, of a God. Where’s the warrior? The great Messiah to deliver us all? If anything, being born in a feeding trough sounds unsanitary.

Yet, in the most unexpected of places, we find our Savior and our friend. Would we think to look in this sort of place for something so great? In this Sunday’s Gospel, the shep-herds were in such a hurry to go to find Jesus. They were tending their flock of sheep, going about their daily lives when they received news from the angel about the birth of Jesus. They came as they were, not worrying about looking physically presentable to Jesus because their hearts were open to Jesus. They willingly let Jesus into their lives, and as a result, they received so much joy and happiness. So much that they had to share this news to all they met!

In life, it’s easy to overlook the difficult moments in our lives, questioning where God is. But in the coldest of nights, in the humblest of places, Jesus made himself accessible to us as a vulnerable baby. He didn’t want to come to us as a great, untouchable person. In coming to us as a baby boy, Jesus signaled to everyone that he wanted to create a loving relationship with us. Not only did he came to redeem us, but he came to know us, to live among us, and to love us. As we all walk on our faith journey, this Gospel encourages us to seek for Christ in the mangers of our lives and to continue building a relationship with him. Sometimes in the dark-est of times is when the pure light of Jesus shines through and transforms us anew.

Quỳnh-Như Nguyễn, Phụ Trách Giáo Xứ (Parish Life Coordinator)