(Looking at another of the 8 Christmas creches in the friary, the very familiar images in the crib set the stage for the following Christmas reflection offered by Alice, a friend of the friars.)
BETHLEHEM SURPRISE
The wonder of the Christmas story is like no other. For the unlikely characters cast in this story truly transcend human imagination: virgin teen-wife, dreamy-eyed husband, weary innkeeper, heavenly choir, ragtag shepherds, and foreign star-gazers. But the surprise does not end here, but rather becomes even more ramped up by the spontaneous actions of the players. Mary and Joseph accept the innkeeper's offer of a bed in a barn. Shepherds abandon their sheep and run to see a stranger's baby. Wise men pack up gear and follow a star. When Baby Jesus was born, ordinary people responded in extraordinary ways.
Isn't this story for us today? To nudge us from our ordinary-comfort zones that we may hear heavenly music and see stars in our eyes. For when the Christmas choir sings, "Glory to God in the Highest," we are called to throw off our earth-bound cares and run with haste to Bethlehem. To witness the birth of God's extraordinary message: Christ is born today!
No comments:
Post a Comment