The Baby
It is often said that the baby should not appear in our nativity scenes until Christmas Day. For St Francis the figure of the baby Jesus transcends the Christmas crib. St Francis saw the Incarnation as the Feast of Feasts because it showed us God’s great humility, that Christ, truly God … would humble himself to be born of Mary, and further, to be born poor, in a manger. Francis believed the way of becoming more Christ-like was through humility and poverty.
(Accessed 26/08/2023 at https://franciscandiscernment.org/index.php/2016/12/21 )
St Francis in his Letter to All of the Faithful says: We are mothers of our Lord Jesus Christ when we carry him in our hearts and in our bodies, lovingly, and with a pure and sincere conscience, and give birth to him through the working of his grace in us which should shine forth as an example to others. Jesus is born again in the human world when we love God and live as Jesus told us to.
Holy One
Essence of Kindness
As we journey through this Advent Season
Inspire us to be bearers of love
through our messages of hope
our shared smiles
our generosity and forgiving hearts
our listening ears and words of understanding.
Help us to be living signs of your love dwelling amongst us. Amen
(Adapted from: Joyce Rupp. Return to the Root. 2021. 225)
Reflection:
How do you honour the baby Jesus in your Christmas celebration?
How can you carry Jesus in your heart in this season of Advent?
God’s sign is simplicity. God’s sign is the baby. God does not come with power and outward splendour.
God comes as a baby — defenceless and in need of our help.
(Pope Benedict XV1)
