How could God stoop so low?

At Christmas, we contemplate the incarnation of the Divine Word, who leaves the Father’s splendor and becomes flesh, coming to dwell among us. Looking at the crib, the first question in my mind is: “How could God stoop so low?”

God, all powerful, come us so weak and powerless as a child. He, self-sufficient, make himself dependent on the care of a father and a mother. He, to whom everything belongs, was born poor in a lowly manger, without even a place to lay his head. He, the king of the kings, submits himself to the authority of Caesar and has to be registered in Bethlehem with his family. The Lord of all submits himself to the authority of a father and a mother. How could God stoop so low?

I could not find a better answer than that proposed by Saint Paul in his letter to the Philippians: “Who, being in the form of God, did not count equality with God something to be grasped. But he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, becoming as human beings are; and being in every way like a human being.” (Ph 2,6-7)

The Word Incarnation represented in the crib has much to teach us. While we are trying to be the center of attention, and we sorrow so soon when ignored or left in the background, God has chosen to hide himself for nine months in the Virgin Mary’s womb, and even after born, would rather hide in the cave of Bethlehem. If there are not the eastern star and the angels to annunciate the good news, his birth gone unnoticed.

In the nativity scene, we still noticed the shepherds, who responded promptly to the announcement of the angels, leaving their flocks, and they flock to Bethlehem. There are also the kings who left their land, their country to follow the hope start. And we? What have we done?  We left our ”flock” to follow Jesus or is there something binding us yet?

What is the “flock” binding us? What are the things, people, dreams and projects binding us and preventing us from following Christ and making God’s will fully in our lives? This is a very personal question that only each one can answer.

We need to follow the example of the incarnated Word, who emptied himself of everything, including his “being” God, to be among us. We need to let go our pride, our grudges, our little pet sins. Let go our ”I think it’s good”, ”I think it’s better.” We need to lower ourselves, and recognize that we are nothing, and so making the God’s will, we will be much more.

This is the actual Christmas spirit.

I wish you a holly and merry Christmas!

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