“Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests.”
Luke 2:13-14 (NIV)
Mary had a long rugged journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem to fulfill their census obligation. The Roman emperor demanded that every citizen register at the city of their birthplace, and Joseph’s was Bethlehem.
It didn’t seem like the best timing for Mary since she was in her last month of pregnancy, riding on a donkey over rough terrain and winding roads. During the bumpy ride, the full term infant was bouncing in her womb, and on her bladder, which made the long journey even more uncomfortable, as anyone can imagine.
When they finally arrived in Bethlehem, there was no room in the inn. Her labor had started, leaving Mary and Joseph in a stressful predicament. I can just imagine them praying every step of the way, asking God to lead them to a resting place. He sent some helpful people, who led them to a shelter inside of a shepherd’s cave.
It was a place where they could lay their bags down, find rest and hope for a safe delivery of their baby. After feeling Him move and grow in her womb for nine months, the time finally came for her to actually see Him, as she delivered Jesus in a cave, normally used to shelter animals. An ordinary cave became the sacred birthplace of the Son of God and Prince of peace, where Jesus drew His first breath of human life.
Mary and Joseph called Him Jesus, as the angel, Gabriel instructed them to do. What an awesome moment to know He was the Messiah, as Mary finally looked into His eyes for the first time. It was a holy exchange of first glances, that flooded them both with indescribable joy and peace.
Angels surrounded the area, appearing to shepherds, declaring peace on earth. The shepherds gazed at the multitude of angels in amazement and then hurried to the cave for their first glance at the little Prince of peace. That night consisted of many first glances, a night full of wonder and awe, when God visibly came to earth to visit His people.
His mother’s face was the first face Jesus ever looked at. He continued to look to her face, seeking His mother’s glance of approval as He grew, learning from her and knowing the warmth of her loving touch and smile. Since their first glance at each other in that cave, they formed a special bond. Jesus grew to manhood, and in His mother’s eyes, He could see the window to her soul, as a reminder of His own divine purpose in coming into the world.
Mary found a sustaining peace in glancing at the face of her son, who is the light that shines in the darkness. She knew she was looking into the eyes of her Creator and the Savior of the world, and yet He was a human infant baby boy, who could not survive without her. He was spoken of by angels, nine months before, and now His arrival into the world was a sacred moment, with the exchange of many first glances.
As we envision the events of His birth, the mother chosen by God and God’s divine Son, we can use our imagination to seek a closer look at the face of Jesus. His face is one that will always remind us of how much God loves us, and that we can carry His presence and peace in our hearts all the days of our life.
We join the angels in saying,
“Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth.”
Merry Christmas to all of you!
Lord, as the divine Word made flesh, we thank you for being our light in every darkness, and the peace that dwells in the hearts of all who seek your face. Amen
