IN A MANGER

According to Luke’s story, it is the Angel’s message to the shepherds that offers us the keys to open somehow the mystery of the Child’s birth in such strange circumstances, outside Bethlehem.

It all happened at night. But the glory of the Lord shone all around them in Bethlehem. This light did not shine upon the place where the child was born, but on the shepherds who were listening to the angel. The Child was hidden amidst darkness, in an unknown place. One had to search for Him and find Him in a manger.

These are the first words that we could hear: “Do not be afraid. Listen, I bring you news of great joy, a joy to be shared by the whole people.” Something very great has taken place. We all have reasons to be very happy. This Child is not the child of Mary and Joseph. This Child is born to all of us. He is not only the Child of just these happy parents. He is born for all of us.

Christians must not keep this feast just for us alone. Jesus belongs to all who have faith in Him as well as to those who have forgotten Him. He is God of those who trust in Him as well as of those who doubt about everything. Nobody is left alone with his fears. Nobody is abandoned in his solitude. There is always someone who remembers us.

That’s what the messenger proclaimed: “A Saviour has been born to you; he is the Christ, the Lord.” He is not the son of Emperor Augustus, owner of the whole world, proclaimed as the saviour and bearer of peace, thanks to the power of his legions. The birth of such powerful men was never good news to the poor people who suffered all kinds of oppression.

This Christ was born in a country subject to the Empire. They are not Roman citizens. Nobody in Rome awaited his birth. Still, he would be the Saviour they all needed. He will not be subject to any Caesar. He will not work for any empire. He will seek only the Kingdom of God and his justice. He will seek to make humanity more just for everyone. It will be in Him that this world of injustice will find God’s salvation.

Where can we find this Child? How can we recognize Him? Listen to the messenger: “Here is a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.” This child has been born homeless. His parents couldn’t find a place to welcome him. His mother gave birth without anyone’s help. She alone tried to protect Him with swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger.

It was in this manger that God began his adventure among men. We will never find Him among the powerful, but among the poor and the needy. He is not found with the great and the famous, but among the small and the forgotten ones. Let us listen to the message: Let us go to Bethlehem; let us return to the roots of our Faith. Let us search for our God where he became flesh and one of us.