We have a God Who has no beginning and no end, Who is transcendent, above all things, Who created the Universe, Who is so much greater than we are that we cannot begin to comprehend Him.
Yet the miracle of Christmas is that this mysterious God is in love with all that God has created, so much in love that God chose to become one of us, His children. God the Son took on flesh and became Jesus, a child who drank milk from his mother's breasts, whose feet got muddy, who chased butterflies, who teased his cousins, who lay in bed with a fever. He grew to manhood, loved a good glass of wine, danced at weddings, sailed on the Sea of Galilee, hung out with his friends. He attentively watched sparrows and sheep and mother hens and wheat waving in the wind. He loved everyone and everything deeply. He wept.
He taught us that we are all the sons and daughters of God and should call His Father "Daddy" and each other our brothers and sisters. He died, betrayed. He rose from the dead, and promised that we would too and be with him if we learned to stay close to God, to love with his heart!
He also promised each of us "I will be with you until the end of time."
God became part of ordinary life because God is in love with all of ordinary life. God's life is interwoven with the life of a leaf, the life of a honeybee, the life of a mountain, the life of a deer, the life of a human being. To gaze at a sunflower is to see revealed the beautiful face of God, its Creator.
"St. Francis is said to have created the first Nativity scene to help others celebrate the profound meaning of Christmas. For us (Franciscans) Christmas is an even bigger celebration than Easter, because for God to be born as one of us in this world among the animals and in a poor family shows that humanity is good, flesh is good, nature is good, and the world is good." (Fr. Richard Rohr)
The wonderful truth is that God loves all of ordinary life in a deeply personal way. God loves YOUR ordinary life! God chose for you to live your life. St. Paul tells us in his letter to the Ephesians "We were chosen by Christ (the glorious risen Jesus) before the world began." (Ephesians 1:4). Before the universe even existed, you were a thought in the mind of God's Son. Remember, Christ existed as God's Son, part of the Trinity before anything had been created. Then, out of super-abundant love, God our Father created everything through Christ and with Christ and in Christ, as the Holy Spirit breathed life over the waters....
Yes, before the universe even began, the Son of God chose you personally to live in this world. And then God didn't leave you once you began to exist. God stays with you, every day, every night, especially when you are sad, hurting, and afraid. That is when God stays closest to you!
We can use the holy gift of our imaginations to visualize how Jesus is with us, loving us, as we live our ordinary life.
Go to a quiet place. Take deep breaths to relax.
Slowly repeat the Jesus Prayer, or whisper "Jesus, Lord Jesus" to calm and quiet your thoughts.
Now mentally go to your favorite space in the place where you live. It could be your kitchen, your dining room, your living room, your bedroom, or your backyard.
Now picture Jesus appearing and walking towards you. How is he dressed? Picture him looking comfortable. He could be wearing a robe and sandals, or a tee shirt, jeans, and sneakers, or a knit shirt, khakis, and loafers. This is Jesus in YOUR life.
You greet Jesus. It could be with a handshake, or a hug. Jesus looks at your favorite space and smiles. He tells you that he knows how much you love this space. He has often been with you here.
Now Jesus asks you to show him around. You walk him around your apartment or house. You show him the photos and art work. You tell him what is important to you about every room. You walk into your backyard. The sun is shining. You show him your favorite garden, or your favorite tree. He smiles, and tells you how good everything is, and how happy he is that you are living a loving, productive life.
Jesus and you sit down together wherever you feel most comfortable. Jesus asks you to share your most loved memory from your life in this place. You think a moment and then share it with him. He asks you to realize that he was there with you at that time, and to think of how his goodness and love were shown to you in this experience. Take time to think about how Jesus was with you then.
Now Jesus asks you if anything in your life is bothering you right now. You share with him what is most painful in your life. Jesus asks you to concentrate and think of the people or events in this situation which reveal to you that he is still beside you and that he is loving you and carrying you through all this. Take time to think about how Jesus is with you now.
Jesus reaches forward. He holds out his right hand and asks you to grasp it. His grip is strong and steady, his hand is warm and reassuring. He says
"Look into my eyes. Believe me when I tell you not to be afraid. I am with you always. I will always help you. Your soul is my home. I belong to you and you belong to me. I am closest to you when you feel weak, fearful, and alone."
Hold Jesus' hand and look into his eyes until you experience his peace and joy.