One of the first things that new parents worry about is where the baby will sleep (and how the baby will sleep).  How many books are there on the market about babies’ sleep habits and parents’ struggles with them?  It is compelling that the Son of God was born with no crib, no proper nursery room, no white noise machine…

God could have sent His Son in any way one could imagine:  in a blaze of fire, attended by legions of angels, simultaneously in all times in all homes throughout history, if He chose.  How incredible it is and worthy of meditation that He chose to come to us not only as a human, but as a helpless, infant human, and on top of all that, a poor, homeless one.

God may have had the striking simplicity of the manger scene in mind, whether Precious Moments or Fontanini, but I doubt it.  We can be fairly certain He was telling us something about the nature of God and the nature of humanity in His not-so-grand entrance.

The lesson for us from Jesus’ entrance into the cold world is humility.  Christ allowed Himself to be cared for by Mary as we must learn to allow Him to care for us.  We are called to be little children, trusting, obedient, and relying not on our own lofty knowledge but on the faith that God will always take care of us.  Let us pray today for an increase in humility, both in our own lives and in our culture, for politicians, entertainers, students.  Let us pray that we may appreciate the simplicity of a baby without a crib, who must be carried or cuddled, who relies completely on His parents, even though He created them in the first place.  May we be content with what we have.

Find all the Advent Daily Dose reflections here.

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Kitchen Stewardship is dedicated to balancing God’s gifts of time, health, earth and money.  If you feel called to such a mission, read more at Mission, Method, and Mary and Martha Moments.