A visit to the Crib....
Yesterday, I remained for sometime after Mass to visit the Nativity Scene and or the Crib in the Church and had an overwhelming experience which I want to share to inspire us all. Of all the characters present, my mind dwelt more on the donkey......... a domestic animal misused in carrying loads........ no wonder termed doing  'donkey' work....? not as strong and valued in comparison to the horse....... yet very useful. The Lord Jesus will ride on a colt to enter Jerusalem on Passion Sunday........Then my mind recalled the desert scene when the seer Balaam was knocked down 3 times from his donkey on his way to pronounce curses on Israel on invitation of Barak, king of Moab. In this episode, Balaam's donkey was seeing an Angel of the Lord with a drawn sword blocking his way (Num. 22: 22-36) and wondered what the donkey in this scene was seeing? .........Host of Angels adoring the Baby Jesus?..... If it could talk, what will it narrate to us.....? I looked at Mary and Joseph, wondered  what was going on in their hearts and minds? ... Scripture only stated Mary pondered these things in her heart.........can we enter into this heart treasured with many mysteries........? Joseph, a righteous man as Scripture called him (Mat. 1:11-25).....where will all these lead him.......? dreams that are slowly unfolding before his very eyes .......? What about the shepherds, who have been sent by the host of Angels........did the little lamb they brought recognize the Baby Jesus as the spotless Lamb of God.........?   My mind was racing fast.......... it's too much for one visit........ it has to sink in slowly............so I need to come back, again and again, if necessary ....... I intentionally left out the Magi because on the first day of Christmas, they were not there yet. This first week or the Octave of Christmas can be  a period to travel with them on their journey following the star........ to join them to present our gifts to Baby Jesus on the Feast of Epiphany. As I need to go back it will be worthwhile if others can make some visits in the coming days....... to spend some time.........actively entering the scene and allowing the character(s) to speak to our hearts........smell, taste and feel what is going on ...... no need to rush.....can remain with one character as long as necessary to really be touched .......as this may lead us to discover personally the principal character lying in the center of the crib - the Baby Jesus.