Let’s look at some of the characters who accompanied the birth at that time, to see if any of them identify with us.

By Fr. Dennis Doren, LC

How is your heart to receive Jesus in a few days? Do you already have everything necessary to welcome the King of Kings who is about to come?

A text from the martyrology left the following words, signifying the importance of the event: “Many centuries have passed since God created the heaven and the earth, and since He made man in His image and likeness; equally many centuries have passed since the flood ceased and the Most High made the rainbow appear as a sign of alliance and peace; twenty-one centuries after the birth of Abraham, our father; thirteen centuries after Israel left Egypt, guided by Moses; nearly a thousand years after David was anointed king; during the sixty-fifth week of Daniel’s prophecy; in the time of the 195th Olympiad; in the year seven hundred fifty-two from the founding of Rome; in the forty-second year of the reign of Caesar Octavian Augustus; and in the sixth age of the world, while peace reigned throughout the earth; Jesus Christ, eternal God and Son of the eternal Father, wishing to consecrate the world with His holy coming, was conceived by the work of the Holy Spirit and, after nine months, was born in Bethlehem of Judea, of the Virgin Mary as true man (Text from the Martyrology).

Let us put on our diving suit and try to penetrate a little deeper into this mystery of love, light, forgiveness, mercy, happiness, joy, humility, and silence. Let us kneel before the manger in Bethlehem and contemplate, adore, and love the God who becomes flesh, and above all, thank God for His act of love. Let’s look at some of the characters who accompanied the birth at that moment, to see if any of them identify with us.

JOHN THE BAPTIST: Preaches, shouts, corrects, admonishes, considers himself an instrument, “I am not the light, but a witness to the light.” When asked, “Are you the Messiah?”, he responds NO. I am the voice crying out in the wilderness, make straight the way of the Lord,” words taken from the prophet Isaiah himself. He knows his mission is to prepare the way, but always leaves the spotlight to Christ who is to come… How many times do we want to be the protagonists of our life story and leave God aside?

MARY: Her example of availability, joy, in a home and work environment, in an environment of purity, she is full of grace, thus she receives God into her womb. We are impressed by her faith, humility, and unlimited trust in God. A woman full of hope. That’s how she prepares herself, ready to go to Bethlehem.

JOSEPH: Prepares himself from uncertainty: to accept or not Mary, but available and attentive to God’s message through the dream he receives to take Mary as his wife. He prepares himself with the virtue of sobriety, honesty, and justice, so characteristic of him, with these virtues he accompanies Mary to the cave.

ZACHARIAS AND ELIZABETH: From mature age, already elderly, they experience God’s power, God’s strength, and that nothing is impossible for Him.

SIMEON AND ANNA: They live this preparation near the sanctuary, from the temple, they prepare themselves among the sacred, among the hidden presence of God, among sacrifices and worship. They were truly prepared.

THE MAGI: They receive the mission to find the born King, guided by a star, among darkness and light, they walk, risk their lives, but have a goal to reach, the star guides them, they do not get discouraged, finally after a long adventure they arrive at the manger and find the Child and adore Him.

THE INHABITANTS OF JERUSALEM: Jerusalem was not prepared, which is why the Messiah passed by, he did not want to be born in such a busy and noisy city, this is consumerist Jerusalem, busy selling trinkets, animals for sacrifices, worried about their shopping, many have stayed here, it is a city distracted from what is essential. It was only a place of passage, and many enchanted by its splendors have stayed forever. Thus, we lament the use of the “truth of Christmas in only one direction,” that is, “consumerism,” this manipulation by a society solely focused on consumption increases and keeps us there, only there.

HEROD’S PALACE: Palace of selfishness, he was afraid of a child, and he orders him to be killed, it is the monument to Ego and self-interests, where, seeing himself in danger, he determines the death of all, even innocents… Two kings cannot coexist in the same kingdom, it’s either him or me, and since I like to lead my affairs, better that he die. That’s how we kill God from our lives and all possibility of redemption. Herod, wants to be the Light Himself, many stay in this palace of Ego…

The SANHEDRIN: The wise men, the intellectuals, those who knew everything, they knew the prophecy, were aware of what the scriptures indicated, knew the place, but did nothing to go, they stayed in their science, without faith. In their preparation, but they lacked the spiritual motivation to set out, they really weren’t interested, for they lived peacefully and comfortably where they were. Their rational knowledge was complete, but they lacked to carry it in their hearts.

Now it’s your turn. Where are you and with whom do you identify? You might ask, but the shepherds were missing, I wanted to leave them for last, thinking of you and me. So that we can be like them, because they represent most of us, who in the silence of the night are watching, attentive, and fulfilling our tasks. The Lord, in His coming, expects to find us working, vigilantly waiting, ready to arrive. Remember, you are also part of this story, don’t forget.