Lectio Divina – 39

Fr Martin Kallunkal

Reading
“Now it happened that, while they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to a son, her first-born. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger because there was no room for them in the living-space. In the countryside close by there were shepherds out in the fields keeping guard over their sheep during the watches of the night.An angel of the Lord stood over them and the glory of the Lord shone round them. They were terrified, but the angel said, ‘Do not be afraid. Look, I bring you news of great joy, a joy to be shared by the whole people.Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. And here is a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger” (Lk. 2:6-12).

Reflection
Joseph came to Bethlehem in order to register his name in accordance with the decree of CaesarAugustus that a census should be made of the whole inhabited world (Lk 2:1). However, his visit to Bethlehem with Mary was not an insignificant incident happened in a particular political-historical context; and, that the time came for Mary to have her child during a quick visit to Bethlehem was not an unfortunate coincidence either. God arranged things in such way that Mary could give birth to Jesus at David’s town itself. Indeed, the Son of David should be born in David’s town. Thus, although thick continuity is maintained between King David and his son Jesus, a couple of discontinuities stand out as unambiguous pointers to the divinity of the new king of Israel. Let us briefly reflect on one of them. Although Jesus was in David’s line, he was not an earthly ruler. As his very name indicates, he is a divine saviour. He came to save humans, not to preserve his throne over against all thrones on the earth. Many might have heard of mythic gods who come down to the earthly sphere in order to outpower humans. But, Jesus is a different king. St. Paul puts it succinctly: “You are well aware of the generosity which our Lord Jesus Christ had, that, although he was rich, he became poor for your sake, so that you should become rich through his poverty” (2 Cor. 8:9). In the manger, we see the utter poverty of God, so also His absolute power. God sets the bed of His only Son in a lonely stable. God chooses the parents of His Son from the poor of the land. Look at the economic and social level of Jesus’ first visitors. Aren’t the shepherds the lowest esteemed workers? Aren’t the parents of Jesus homeless people? Nothing glorious is suggested by the circumstances in which Jesus is born. This is in sharp contrast with the common human thinking that appearance should suggest power. The divine child in the manger silently and yet emphatically states that there is no connection whatsoever between appearance and power.

Prayer
Dear Lord, Jesus, the Holy Scripture has clearly marked the starting point and ending point of your earthly life. Your birth and burial mirror each other: When you were born, Mother Mary wrapped you in swaddling clothes and laid you in a manger because there was no room for you in the town. Similarly, when you died on the cross, Joseph from Arimathaeatook your body down, wrapped it in a shroud and put it in a tomb which was hewn in stone and which had never held a body. My Lord and God, teach me how to live my life along a straight line between the simplicity of the manger and the poverty of the cross.

Contemplation
In the Christmas cribs, we see ox and donkey with lowered heads. Scholars say that the tradition of animals in the crib comes from Isaiah 1:3: “The ox knows its owner and the donkey its master’s crib.” Do we recognize our Master and God? Go to Bethlehem, lower your head in adoration and contemplate on the mystery of humility.

Action
Reconsider your approach to migrant workers and homeless wanderers in your town. While world leaders are worried about the so-called refugee crisis, can you be kind to a stranger by giving him/her what h/she needs most.