“While all things were in quiet silence, and night was in the midst of her swift course,
Thine Almighty Word leaped down from Heaven out of Thy royal throne.”
I am writing this blog specifically because the above image so moved me when I received it from my son. You see, I had gifted my little grandson with this nativity set right after Thanksgiving when he and his mom visited Grandma! He opened the box and we allowed him to take out only “two” figures since there were so many as you can see above! The nativity went home with him and I never asked if he had taken it out once again and opened up all the little figurines.
I was thrilled to receive this picture and to see that this little innocent child had an inert sensibility to “line up” these little figures to “gaze” upon the Babe in the Manger! It was like this little guy had his own GPS that directed his heart and his fingers. I never asked my daughter-in-law nor my son what made him do that – it seemed the answer was spelled out before me!
But now it is spelled out before all who read this blog! Who were the “first worshippers at the crib?”
When Jesus opened His eyes – it was Mother Mary that He gazed upon. The Holy Mother who had worshipped and adored Him within her womb for 9 months without seeing “His Face” now beholds Him before her very own earthly eyes! Eyes gaze at one another! Can you imagine! The Creator of the Universe who created “her” into being is now “gazing” upon His creation! Oh my goodness – can we truly imagine what that moment in time was like!
What is it like for us now? We don’t see Him “face to face” but one day we shall! What will that moment be like? For now, though, it is the “interior gaze of love” that we can count on – not only in this liturgical season of Christmas but for all the days that follow. If we realize His presence within us – we shall be like the Holy Mother who adored and worshipped Him until the day their eyes beheld each other – face to face!
The worshippers at the crib! Who else beheld this babe in the manger? There was St. Joseph! The foster-father of the Incarnate Son.
Again, can you imagine the angst that St. Joseph went through knowing that his betrothed was pregnant with child before their marriage?
Through the message of an angel, Joseph is reassured that he has been chosen to be one of those first worshippers at the crib of the Baby Jesus and behold the Face of God. To bow down and to worship – and to hold Him within the safety of his own arms!
Joseph was flooded with “grace” all his life so that he could always have the ears to listen to see where he was must lead the Child Jesus and His Mother Mary. All of Joseph’s life – he was surrounded by the love of Mary and the “presence” of Jesus physically before his own eyes.
During this Christmas season – let us pray to St. Joseph and ask for his intercession that we may also be “flooded with grace” and feel his protection and guidance in our own lives – leading us always to the Son of God.
The worshippers at the crib! Next in line were the “shepherds in the field” startled by what they beheld in the skies of that starry night. They had an “angelic vision” – a proclamation! What were they doing? Tending their sheep – doing their daily duty and being faithful to it. They hear the songs of the angels proclaiming the Birth of Jesus Christ. To think of this – it gives one goosebumps!
They are the first to receive this news – lowly shepherds in the field. They are also the first to announce the Good News to all!
They received a great light that night and followed it. They were ready to greet the Lord of Lords – the King of Kings!
Were we ready this Christmas Day to behold the “Light” of the Angels that led to the manger? Where are we in that grand line of worshippers?
It’s not too late! This beautiful season of Christmas continues on bringing us to February 2nd – the great Feast Day of the Presentation of the Child Jesus in the Temple! Get in Line!!!!!
Prior to Christmas Day – the “lights” are lit on neighboring homes and the bustle and busyness of preparations fill our personal worlds. The Christmas trees are put up with all the presents displayed beneath – cookies baked – cards sent out and meals cooked and prepared.
Then within days – the “live” trees are brought to the curb cast aside – and the wrappings of Christmas are also cast aside.
Let that not be for us! We are called to be present as “worshippers at the crib!”
It’s not over for us – it has just begun and will continue until we see Him “face to face” – “eye to eye” and “heart to heart.”
In the days to come – we can approach the crib – the manger and bring forth a smile on the face of the “Babe.” The one who left Heaven! The one who scripture proclaims loudly in the following verses – the “One” who loves us so!
“While all things were in quiet silence, and night was in the midst of her swift course,
Thine Almighty Word leaped down from Heaven out of Thy royal throne.”
I wanted to leave you all with a “moving image” – one that could bring forth a beautiful meditation in your hearts of a “gaze of love.”
As we come forth to be a “worshipper at the crib” of Jesus Christ – let us gaze back and lock eyes with this Divine Child. In the image above, He is looking “out” searching for your eyes to be upon Him.
Oh wouldn’t it be wonderful if we “attracted” our eyes to the “Eyes of the Babe Jesus” rather than our “distractions” whatever they might be!
Let Him find our eyes – gazing back at Him.
My go-to book is always “He and I – Gabrielle Bossis” – and the conversations she had with the Lord.
Looking at preparations for Christmas – Gabrielle speaks to Jesus:
“Thank you, Lord. How could you come down to earth, knowing that You were going to suffer so much?”
And Jesus responds:
“And if I had not come down, should I have had the joy of instituting My Eucharist where I remain right to the end of the centuries?”
I began this blog with the image of a “child’s nativity set” and the line-up before the Manger.
Here is yet another image – a Christmas gift given to me by my son and daughter-in-law – the parents of the little one who did the initial set-up of the “line-up!”
Yes, here is the Son of God born in a stable with His Mother Mary and Foster Father St. Joseph – and in a unique way this stable depicts “The Cross” behind Him. Yes, He came to Love us by His Incarnation – His calvary was to die on the Cross for us – to save us. His “resurrection” was to give us eternal life and to set the compass for our earthly pilgrimage – to be with Him in Heaven.
Gazing will get us there – let us hurry to get in line to be “Worshippers at His Crib”
©2024 Anita Guariglia
Featured Image and all other images – Pinterest and Instagram
Both nativity set pictures – Anita Guariglia
He and I – Gabrielle Bossis – December 15, 1949 passage
3 Responses
Dear Anita, you’ve written many moving and inspirational blogs but this one may be your best yet…so beautiful!! It holds a treasury of meditations for our hearts to ponder. Thank you and may the joy and blessings of Christmas and the love of the Holy Family remain with you always.
God Bless You dear Cathy for faithfully reading and commenting on these blogs. Your words keep me going onward and forward into 2025
and may it be a Blessed and Hopeful one for the entire world as Pope Francis has proclaimed – WE ARE ALL PILGRIMS OF HOPE AND MIGHT I ADD JOY!
Anita, this blog is absolutely beautiful, heartwarming and helps us to contemplate the mystery of the Incarnation. Your little grandson described it to us so simply yet so powerfully. Let us all worship the presence of this Child who would grow to be the Sacrifice for mankind.
“Thank you, Jesus for your presence to each of us every day. May we always keep you in our hearts and glorify your Holy Name forever. We trust in YOU! Amen.”