Jesus was born to Mary - but because there was no room for them at an inn while they were traveling, their son was born in a stable where the animals were kept, and Mary used an animal food trough for a bed for him.
Just before Jesus was born, there was a ruler of the land called Ceasar Agusustus. He ruled the Empire of Rome, the largest nation that the world has ever seen - and Israel was inside it. He was called a great savior and peace giver because he defeated all of his enemies. While he ruled, he called a census - meaning he wanted to record how many people there were in his Empire and gather other information about where they lived. Each family in Israel had to travel to the town of their family to be recorded.
For Joseph, this was Bethlehem, the city of King David - where Ruth and Boaz lived and were married, and eventually Jesse had David. Even though Mary was almost due, she traveled with Joseph to Bethlehem. When they arrived, there were so many people coming to be recorded for the census that there was no room for the small family in the local inn - something like a hotel. So Joseph found a stable where animals were kept to use as shelter for the night.
Mary gave birth to Jesus that night! Both she and Joseph must have been surprised at their circumstances - giving birth to the Lord of All Creation in such a place! Stables are usually far outside town so that they don't make people's homes smelly, so no one was around. Jesus was surrounded by the smell of the animals himself, and everything was dirty. And Mary only had one bed for Jesus - a small manger that was used to keep hay for the animals to eat.
But Mary and Joseph did the best they could - they wrapped Jesus up tight in a blanket just the way that babies like to be wrapped - and looked at his tiny face, the face of God made man.
Shepherds were working in nearby fields - probably the youngest boys in the family who were forced to take the night shift and stay with the sheep. But it was to them that angels appeared and said,
“Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying:
“Glory to God in the highest
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
The shepherds went into the town of Bethlehem and found Jesus just as the angel's said - and they honored him that night. Afterward they went into the town telling all the people what the angels had said to them and the child that they had found.
Connection & Reflection: Jesus' birth is so different from the circumstances of the current ruler of Rome - Ceasar Augustus lives in comfort in a palace in the central city of Rome, where there are plenty of people to serve him. He is powerful enough to call the whole world to come and be recorded, and he is respected by so many. But Jesus is born in the opposite way - in humble surroundings with at first no one to worship him except his mother and father and a few stinky animals. He is just a small, weak newborn barely able to lift his own head. Yet despite this, Jesus is the Greater Ruler, the Prince of Peace, the Most High, the Ruler of All Creation. Soon he will prove this, with his life, death, and resurrection - but also when he comes again for us as he promised.
Prayer: Jesus, you came to us so small and weak, but did so to make it so anyone can come to you and understand. You made yourself so that we could know you the way you know yourself. Help us to remember that you laid in a manger not just because you were poor, but to show us that you are the Bread of Life and Food for the World. When we receive you at Mass, help us to fully realize that you are our own source of life.
Conclude with your favorite family prayer, or an Our Father, Hail Mary & Glory Be.
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