By Fr. Brian Wirth,
Director of Rural Life
First and foremost, I want to wish you all a merry Christmas and happy New Year!
One particular blessing during the Christmas season is being able to view all of the various nativity sets in our homes, parishes, and schools. Ever since I can remember, I have always been fascinated by nativity sets and their innate beauty.
Pope Francis echoes this child-like admiration: “The enchanting image of the Christmas crèche, so dear to the Christian people, never ceases to arouse amazement and wonder. The depiction of Jesus’ birth is itself a simple and joyful proclamation of the mystery of the Incarnation of the Son of God. The nativity scene is like a living Gospel rising up from the pages of sacred Scripture.” (Admirable Signum, #1)
Thus, in view of the many beautiful crèches in every age and culture throughout the world, through our Blessed Virgin Mother, this joyous truth remains eternally the same: “Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Lk. 2:10-11)
Within the nativity scene during the Christmas season, as a Universal Church we rejoice in the Word made Flesh dwelling among us, breaking into the darkness of our world. As the Beloved Disciple proclaims that “the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (Jn. 1:5), so too in the Nativity, the angels on high proclaim the same truth in brilliant light: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (Lk. 2:14)
Moreover, the Holy Family, in their most virtuous lives lovingly embrace us in the nativity scene, teaching us as spiritual children first and foremost how to pray, (specifically, how to adore the Bread of Life); secondly, how to patiently endure the trials of the world via sacrificial love; and third, how to rejoice in the good and reject all evil.
Truly, the Holy Family teaches us within the nativity scene how to live life as joyful disciples in the world all while surrendering ourselves evermore to the Infant-Savior-King, Emmanuel, God-With-Us.
But what’s particularly beautiful about Luke’s account of the nativity is who receives the message first (other than the Holy Family and Zechariah, Elizabeth, and John the Baptist). This “good news of a great joy” is first announced not to the Magi, nor the kings, queens, or rulers, nor the wealthy and influential within Israel. The salvific message is first heard and received by the lowly shepherds.
When viewing nativity sets, our sights tend toward the Christ Child and the Most Holy Family (rightfully so). But we cannot forget about the importance of the shepherds. For it was most wisely God’s providential plan that the shepherds would be the first ones to receive this Good News, but more, being filled with the joyous light of faith, hope, and charity, it was the shepherds “who made known the message that had been told them about this child.” (Lk. 2:17)
Thus, within the beautiful setting of the manger, one of the greatest mysteries of our faith (along with the Resurrection) is intimately revealed within the rural setting of the manger, gracefully through the fruit of the earth and work of divine and human hands.
Certainly, the salvific message proclaimed by the shepherds is a joyous message meant for all humanity, rural and urban, government leaders and laborers, rich and poor, saints and sinners alike.
Likewise, the shepherds were marvelously the first ones to learn these invaluable lessons from Mary and Joseph. Within the manger scene, the shepherds were taught how to prayerfully adore within the beauty of creation and within the beauty of silence the Bread of Life.
Further, the shepherds, with their flocks among the True Lamb of God in the wood of the crib were strengthened by the heart of the Good Shepherd in persevering faith, patience, and fortitude to bear the wood of the Cross in sacrificial love within their vocation like Christ.
Finally, the shepherds, along with the Magi, were able to rejoice in awe and wonder in the Ultimate Good: Emmanuel. Thus transformed by grace, the shepherds in total surrender joyfully sought to be Christ-bearers like Joseph and Mary to the nations, empowering everyone like them to reject sin and avoid evil in their lives.
Therefore, brothers and sisters, along with Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, great spiritual fruit can be gathered in praying with the shepherds within the Nativity scene. For we are more like them than we realize.
Through Baptism, all of us are shepherds as priests, prophets, and kings. As priests, we are called to pray and make daily sacrifices in view of the Lamb of God. As prophets, we are called to humbly yet joyfully bear this “good news of a great joy” to all the nations, rural and urban alike. Finally, as kings, we are called to administer righteousness, peace, and justice within our families and within society, all while reverently adoring the Infant-Savior-King, Jesus Christ, King of the Universe.
Therefore, may our nativity sets be a constant source of joy for us this Christmas season. Like the shepherds, may we return to our homes, farms, and society “glorifying and praising God for all we have heard and seen.” (Lk. 2:20)
