Lessons from the Nativity

________

This Advent I decided to actively do something to prepare my heart for Christmas, so I joined my parish book study. We're reading "Christmas at the Nativity" which is a compilation of Pope Francis's reflections on various aspects of the nativity, and was published exactly 800 years after the first nativity setup was introduced by St. Francis. Over the years it has become a staple centerpiece for Christian families, including the donkey and oxen, shepherds and wise men, a creche with angels, Mary and Joseph, and of course the infant child Jesus himself!

The book itself is an easy read, but the content is rich with insight and beautiful questions that everyone should ask themselves, especially during the Advent season. If you don't have an Advent tradition, or don't mind adding one more thing to this busy season, I strongly suggest including this next year, or even try to start now before Christmas arrives in less than two weeks! For now, enjoy what I've learned reflecting on our Mother.

THE SACRIFICES OF A FIAT

When I think of the Christmas story, I always think of Mary's immediate response to becoming the Mother of Our Lord and how quickly she responded. Yes, she was told the Lord would take care of her and watch over her, but I never once considered the fear and anxieties that came with her fiat. After all, she was joyful to give birth to Christ, the Savior she and all of the faithful Jewish people were waiting for.

Mary's life became nothing short of any mother's nightmare. She was at risk of being misunderstood and stoned to death for conceiving outside of marriage. She had to travel hundreds of miles right before she was due to give birth. She and Joseph ended up in a foreign town that had no room for her and the baby. She even had to deliver the Savior of the World in a stable made for animals to sleep in! This doesn't even cover the suffering she would endure when Christ would later be crucified during His Passion!

But through it all, Mary's faith grew even stronger. Through her fiat, her yes, the world was given salvation and hope. She became the Mother of God, not through comfort and bliss with servants waiting on her every need, but through trial and sacrifice, love and surrender. She came to know Christ through her suffering and trials, and because of that she gave us an example of a truly joyful and deep faith.

It's definitely easier said than done, even the saints were afraid to ask God where He needed them because they knew the sacrifices they would have to make for their fiat. This shouldn't keep us from desiring the Will of the Lord, but this was a good reminder that it won't be easy but incredibly worth it!

ADAPTATION TO GOD'S PLAN

St. Joseph was expecting he would get married. He wasn't expecting a bride carrying a child that wasn't his. He expected to live peacefully and low key in Nazareth. He wasn't expecting a mandatory enrollment in a city far away. He expected to provide for his wife and newborn son. He wasn't expecting to remain in exile for a month and a half. And yet God called St. Joseph to each of these through faith.

I, like St. Joseph, have expectations in my life, and how I imagined my life will turn out. I expected by now to have a family of four with another on the way. I wasn't expecting my husband and I to have three cats instead. I expected to master my work-life balance through a schedule I controlled. I wasn't expecting to have an anxiety attack because I couldn't find my camera lens cap. And yet God called me to slow down, to practice resting in His love and adapting to a new way of life.

If I don't learn to embrace the seemingly chaotic moments that life throws my way then I won't be able to see how God is working through it. Because of our infertility I've come to truly appreciate family time and how I can give others my absolute full attention. And when I have my attacks I know it's time to step back and give my own health some needed TLC.

ACCEPTING THE GREATEST GIFT OF ALL

My favorite reflection Pope Francis offered was the legend about the gifts of the shepherds. Each shepherd came bearing a small gift to present to the infant Child Jesus, some more elaborate than others. But one came with nothing in hand. He had nothing to present to Our Lord. Seeing his hands empty but extended in adoration, Mary placed Jesus in the shepherd's arms. The shepherd who had no gift to bring but himself received the greatest gift of all, and he humbly accepted Him with grace.

Not every gift this season can be wrapped in colorful paper or tied in a bow, and rightly so. I've never really been good at gift-giving like my sister, but what I'm working on this Advent season is learning how to bring myself to the Lord and sit with open arms, ready to embrace the gift that is greater than any I could ever bring: Himself.

I recently started veiling anytime I found myself in the presence of Our Lord. It's an ancient Church tradition that is a visual sign that my womanhood is a tabernacle, a mysterious dwelling place for Christ. It's helped my prayer life tremendously in not letting me get distracted as easily, and giving me a physical cue to remember I am in the presence of Our Lord any time I step foot in a church for Mass, adoration, or any time of prayer. I am presenting myself to Christ as a gift, so that my heart is ready to receive Him as the greatest gift of all.

***

Do you have any Advent reflections you've been sitting with this season? Have you had a chance to read "Christmas at the Nativity" by Pope Francis? I'd love for you to share in the comments!

---

Share my blogs with someone who you think would enjoy my little nuggets of wisdom and reflections! Please feel free to also check out my ongoing projects and ways that you can support me as a freelancer—and avid crocheter!

________

________

---