We shall see HIS face...

I am so into thinking about the birth of our Lord this year... wanting to remember the "face" of a newborn babe... I am going back to the end of May when baby Augustine, our youngest grandchild surprised us a few weeks early and very small... under 6 pounds!  Here he is just days old at his first mass with mom and dad, and wonderful St Therese of the Holy Face of Jesus!  There is no doubt that his Catholic faith will be always foremost in his life, with all the prayers and lessons from his parents, and most of all the mass every week and even daily. 

The priest that married them just 9 months before was thrilled to see their little Augustine!  Being open to LIFE is a blessing that Nancy and Bill are experiencing every day... They are so blessed to have him enriching their lives!  Thinking once again of Mary and Joseph and their knowledge of Jesus being God come to earth in the form of a tiny helpless infant... totally depending on them to care for him and bring him into the stages of growth and developement.  So much harder back them to find the necessities and the ways to do them were much more difficult.  Giving the baby a bath involved getting the water, heating the water, and then drying the baby and keeping it warm... much more complicated.

This is the furnace that kept the baby Jesus warm in the stable...the cow and the donkey and the sheep that were probably in the stable... gave off the earthy warmth from their bodies, and their breaths, and their excretions.... earthy! And, of course, humble!  We all know that humble is good, and for God to enter the world in a stable as a helpless infant in that time of history without any of the modern conveniences... one thing is for sure... Mary and Joseph were not distracted by TV or the internet.  They had to work harder to do the simple things that we take for granted, and that kept them somewhat preoccupied, but it was always with their son in mind!  So much giving and caring without thinking of themselves - only HIM!  He wasn't bundled in a blanket sleeper, but was wrapped in swadling clothes... or pieces of fabric that we wrapped around him for warmth and to make him feel safe.  Mary a young new mother was learning on her new Son of God!  He grew and became strong, so she did just fine!

Jesus, we love you and are filled with wonder at your coming into this world through your mother, Mary most Holy.  Walk with us this day and forward... may we look outside of ourselves to "see" your face in all those around us - especially those in our domestic Church - our family.  Jesus, we trust in you.  Amen and Halleluia

Bless-bless, Barb

May I see Baby Jesus there with the residents of the nursing home this Christmas Eve day...