Home Study of Medaille

The birth of the holy divine child in the lowly stable of a Bethlehem cave marks the unusualness of this birth surrounded by elemental forces and real poverty. There was "no room for him in the inn". Yet, he was in a royal city, Bethlehem of the House of David, which gives some indication of his greatness, but all of this - and more - is hidden in his choice of a hillside cave outside the city. We see here in his beginnings, how he by-passes the "royal road" - the entrance by prestige, power, luxury and security and comes to us by way of lowliness, poverty and submission - the "narrow road". Nativity is the feast of poverty, yet paradoxically, it is the feast of abundance. Never before have we known such great Love amongst us!

Jesus' obedience and submission to others is manifest from the very beginning of his life. How graciously he submits to the wishes of others - the edicts of the emperor for a census. Jesus - you are just newborn to our humanity and one of your first actions is to allow another king to exercise lordship over your life. Yet we observe how docile and free you are to co-operate and work within the ordinary circumstances and events of life as they happen upon you. You do not put up resistance to events, but rather you submit to them and you allow yourself to be guided without looking for any reasons. How analytical and probing for answers our minds become when we are beset with unsettling and troubling circumstances that disturb our plans. We can learn from your example how to handle the existence of "evil" in our life. You remained so in touch with life at your Source and that was enough for you. Your utter dependence upon God your Father allowed you to be so free and submissive for He would "bring all things to good."

In imitation of Jesus' infancy may we never seek our own glory in anything, and await peacefully and accept without resistance all the dispositions of God's Providence. What joy and care-freeness would be ours if we could only live in such close participation in Jesus' docility and obedience to the Father.

"We have not found the answer
we have found the Source.
And that is enough to start afresh."
(St. Augustine)