Fr. Nate's Letter - December 15, 2024

In this season of greeting cards, we typically see a large variety of images and messages associated with this season. Some years ago, I received one card that was unique - both the image and the printed message that accompanied the card were rather interesting, since it came right about this time when, according to the experts, Mary and Joseph would have been traveling to Bethlehem. In the picture on the front, the moon was already present in the sky - nearing dusk, but not quite dark. St. Joseph, with a lamp in his hand, is shown hastening to the door, looking anxiously for space for Mary and the Child soon to be born. Mary was sitting off to the side, her head bowed, knowing that her Child’s arrival was imminent, waiting to see what the answer would be. The printed message inside of the card read, “May your heart be open to receive Joseph and Mary this Christmas, so that the Holy Child will have a place to be born.” 
 
The card’s message kind of left the impression that Mary and Joseph were waiting for a response from the recipient of the card, and maybe it was because the card arrived around the time that Mary and Joseph would have been traveling that it made such an impression. 
 
It is estimated that the journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem by foot or by donkey would have taken roughly nine days the way the crow flies. This would mean that this week we will be in that time when Joseph and Mary would soon be starting on their way.
 
When scholars look at the various events surrounding the birth of Christ, we are able to know so much because of the census that was decreed by Caesar Augustus. The census took place in a variety of stages and over several years. The stage at which the census was when Mary and Joseph made their journey, was the stage pertaining to those who owned property. 
Some scholars say it can be assumed that Joseph owned property in Bethlehem, which is interesting to consider – if Joseph had property in Bethlehem, why did they look for space for the birth of Christ? Of course, one could go on in speculation, but considering that fact, perhaps Joseph’s property was nothing more than an open field. Being that the Christ Child was born in a cave that was loaned to them, so to speak, I often wonder if Joseph’s property was nothing more than a small portion of land. Perhaps his property consisted of shelter of some sort as well, but was occupied at the time; rather than inconvenience someone else and put them in a bad way, Joseph and Mary allowed themselves to be subjected to rejection and humiliating circumstances. And isn’t that the beauty of Christmas? We owed a debt to God which we couldn’t pay. So God, coming in the flesh, subjected himself, choosing to suffer himself, rather than us. He could have put us out, but he allowed himself to be rejected instead. 
 
That brings us back to Joseph and Mary. They’re on their way to Bethlehem, asking you and me to welcome Jesus into our hearts – because that’s where he wishes to be born. It’s in our hearts where he seeks space. We hear in our Gospel this weekend that the crowd asked John the Baptist that burning question, “What should we do?” And for each of us, the answer is different. Yet so many words, the response that John gives tells of how we might open our hearts to Christ – it happens through our efforts to lead lives of conversion.
 
May our hearts be open – yours and mine - to receive Joseph and Mary this Christmas, so that the Holy Child will have a place to be born.
 
Wishing you all God’s blessings this week!
 
Keeping you in prayer – and say one for me!
 
- Fr. Nate